wrong to leave you in this way. I know I am doing
right. God bless you and keep you, my dear--and your husband, and your
children! Good-by!"

He stooped and kissed her. She ran to the door to look after him. A puff
of air extinguished the candle, and the black night shut him out from
her in an instant.

Three days afterward the first-class merchantman _Deliverance_, Kirke,
commander, sailed from London for the China Sea.

CHAPTER III.

THE threatening of storm and change passed away with the night. When
morning rose over Aldborough, the sun was master in the blue heaven, and
the waves were rippling gayly under the summer breeze.

At an hour when no other visitors to the watering--place were yet astir,
the indefatigable Wragge appeared at the door of North Shingles Villa,
and directed his steps northward, with a neatly-bound copy of "Joyce's
Scientific Dialogues" in his hand. Arriving at the waste ground beyond
the houses, he descended to the beach and opened his book. The interview
of the past night had sharpened his perception of the difficulties to
be encountered in the coming enterprise. He was now doubly determined to
try the characteristic experiment at which he had hinted in his letter
to Magdalen, and to concentrate on himself--in the character of a
remarkably well-informed man--the entire interest and attention of the
formidable Mrs. Lecount.

Having taken his dose of ready-made science (to use his own expression)
the first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, Captain Wragge
joined his small family circle at breakfast-time, inflated with
information for the day. He observed that Magdalen's face showed plain
signs of a sleepless night. She made no complaint: her manner was
composed, and her temper perfectly under control. Mrs. Wragge--refreshed
by some thirteen consecutive hours of uninterrupted repose--was in
excellent spirits, and up at heel (for a wonder) with both shoes. She
brought with her into the room several large sheets of tissue-paper,
cut crisply into mysterious and many-varying forms, which immediately
provoked from her husband the short and sharp question, "What have you
got there?"

"Patterns, captain," said Mrs. Wragge, in timidly conciliating tones. "I
went shopping in London, and bought an Oriental Cashmere Robe. It cost a
deal of money; and I'm going to try and save, by making it myself. I've
got my patterns, and my dress-making directions written out as plain as
print. I'l