ntly to bed."

"It will be so dull"--and Flora glanced at the group of friendly faces,
beaming with affection and kindness; "I should enjoy myself here so
much. Now, John, do not send me away to bed, and keep all the fun to
yourself--the bright, cheery fire and all the good things."

Lyndsay looked grave, and whispered something in her ear about the baby,
and the madness of risking a bad cold. Whatever was the exact import of
his communication, it had the effect of producing immediate obedience to
his wishes, and Flora reluctantly quitted the social group, and retired
to her own chamber.

"Ah, Mary," she said, as Miss Parnell safely deposited her and the
precious baby between the hot blankets, "it was worth braving a thousand
storms to receive such a welcome back. I never knew how much our dear
kind friends loved us before."

"And now we have got you safe back, Flora, who knows what may happen to
prevent your leaving us again; Lyndsay may change his mind, and prefer
being happy on a small income at home to seeking his fortune in a
strange land."

Flora shook her head.

"I know him better than you do, Mary. When once he has made up his mind
to any step which he considers necessary, a little difficulty and danger
will only stimulate him to exertion, and make him more eager to
prosecute his voyage."

Whilst sipping the potion prescribed by old Kitson, and giving Mary an
account of all the perils they had encountered during the day, Nurse
came running up-stairs to say that Captain Kitson thought that the
_Soho_ was just rounding the point off the cliff, and he wanted to know,
that if it really proved to be her, whether Mrs. Lyndsay would get up
and once more trust herself upon the waves?

"Not to-night, Nurse, if a fortune depended upon it," said Flora,
laughing. "Tell the Captain that I have spent the day in a salt-bath,
and mean to pass the night in my bed."

Fortunately, Mrs. Lyndsay was not put to this fresh trial. The Captain
had mistaken the craft, and she was permitted to enjoy the warmth and
comfort of a sound sleep, unbroken by the peals of laughter, that from
time to time ascended from the room beneath; where the gentlemen seemed
determined to make the night recompense them for the dangers and
privations of the day.

The morning brought its own train of troubles--and when do they ever
come singly? Upon examination, Lyndsay found that the salt-water had
penetrated into all their trunks and cases; and t