hagrin of the previous evening, appeared, passed Gertrude, whose
veil was drawn over her face, and joined Isabel, placing his burden on a
chair which stood near.

Just then the violent ringing of the bell gave notice to all but the
passengers to quit the boat, and he was compelled to make haste to
depart. As he did so he drew a step nearer Gertrude, a step further from
her whom he was addressing, and the former distinguished the words:
"Then, if you will do your best to return on Thursday I will try not to
be impatient in the meantime."

A moment more and the boat was on its way; just then a tall figure, who
reached the landing just as she started, had, to the horror of the
spectators, daringly leaped the gap that already divided her from the
shore; after which he sought the gentlemen's saloon, threw himself upon
a couch, drew a book from his pocket, and commenced reading.

As soon as the boat was fairly under weigh and quiet prevailed in the
neighbourhood, Emily spoke softly to Gertrude, and said----

"Didn't I just now hear Isabel Clinton's voice?"

"She is here," replied Gertrude, "on the opposite side of the deck, but
sitting with her back towards us."

"Didn't she see us?"

"I believe she did," answered Gertrude. "She stood looking this way
while her party were arranging their seats."

"Perhaps she is going to New York to meet Mrs. Graham."

"Very possible," replied Gertrude. "I didn't think of it before."

"Who was the gentleman who spoke to her just before the boat started?"

"Willie," was the tremulous response.

Emily pressed Gertrude's hand and was silent. She, too, had overheard
his farewell remark, and felt its significance. Several hours passed,
and they had proceeded some distance down the river; for the motion of
the boat was rapid--too rapid, as it seemed to Gertrude, for safety. She
observed several circumstances, which excited so much alarm, that,
effectually aroused from her train of reflection, she had leisure only
to take into view her own and Emily's situation, and its probable
consequence.

Several times, since they left Albany, had the boat passed and repassed
another of similar size, with living freight, and bound in the same
direction. Occasionally, during their headlong course, the contiguity of
the two boats excited serious alarm. They were racing, and racing
desperately. Some few, regardless of danger, watched with pleased
eagerness the mad career of rival ambition; but by far