hat everything would
have to be unpacked and hung out to dry. This was indeed dull work, the
disappointment and loss attending upon it rendering it doubly irksome.

While Flora and her friend Mary superintended this troublesome affair,
Lyndsay lost no time in writing to the steamboat company, informing them
of his disastrous attempt to meet the _Soho_; and the loss he had
incurred by missing the vessel. They stated in reply, that the boat had
been wrecked at the mouth of the Thames, in the gale; and that another
boat would supply her place on the Sunday following; that she would pass
the town at noon, and hoist a red flag at her stern, as a signal for
them to get on board.

This was Thursday, and the intervening days passed heavily along. A
restless fever of expectation preyed upon Flora. She could settle to no
regular occupation; she knew that the delay only involved a fresh and
heavy expense, that they must ultimately go, and she longed to be off.
The efforts made by her friends to amuse and divert her, only increased
her impatience. But time, however slowly it passes to the anxious
expectant, swiftly and surely ushers in the appointed day.

Sunday came at last, and proved one of the loveliest mornings of that
delightful season of spring and sunshine. The lark carolled high in the
air, the swallows darted on light wings to and fro; and the sea, vast
and beautiful, gently heaved and undulated against the shore, with
scarcely a ripple to break the long line of golden light, which danced
and sparkled on its breast. The church bells were chiming for morning
prayer; and the cliffs were covered with happy groups in their holiday
attire. Flora, surrounded by friends and relatives, strove to be
cheerful; and the day was so promising, that it infused new life and
spirit into her breast. All eyes were turned to that part of the
horizon, on which the long, black trailing smoke of the steamer was
first expected to appear. A small boat, which had been engaged to put
them and their luggage on board, and which contained all their worldly
chattels, lay rocking in the surf, and all was ready for a start.

In the midst of an animated discussion on their future prospects, the
signal was given, that the steamer was in sight, and had already rounded
the point. How audibly to herself did Flora's heart beat, as a small,
black speck in the distance gradually increased to a black cloud; and
not a doubt remained, that this was the expected