That evening Lucy found Chester in a corner of the library pretending to read.  There was no escape for him as she approached.  What a sweet creature she was, open-hearted and unafraid!  His heart met her half way.

“What is the matter with you, Brother Lawrence?” she asked.

“There is nothing the matter with me.”

“Then what have I done?” She seated herself, and Chester laid his book on the table.  He would be plain and open with this girl.  In the end nothing is gained by mystery and silence.  He told her plainly what had taken place between himself and her father.  She listened quietly, the tears welling in her eyes as he progressed.  Then for a moment she hid her face in her hands while she cried softly.

“I shall not ask you to break your promise,” she said at last, “but I did so want to learn more of the gospel—­the true restored gospel.  It isn’t true that a discussion of these things affects me unfavorably.  I am never so well as when I am hearing about and thinking of them.  Perhaps father thinks so, however; I shall not misjudge him.”

“So I shall keep my word,” said he, “and if I keep it strictly, I should not now prolong my talk with you.  But I have a way out of your trouble.  You know Elder Malby.  He is a wise man and knows the gospel much better than I. He will gladly talk to you.”

“Thank you.  That’s a good suggestion; but you—­”

“I shall have to be content to look from afar off, or perchance to listen in silence.  Good night.”

And so it happened that the very next morning when the passengers were looking eagerly to the near approach to Queenstown, Lucy and Elder Malby were seen sitting on deck in earnest conversation.  Chester promenaded at a distance with some envy in his heart; but he kept away.  For fully an hour the girl and the elderly missionary talked.  Then the minister, coming on deck saw them.  He, no doubt, thought she was well out of harm’s way in such company, for he did not know Elder Malby.  When he caught sight of Chester he went up to him, took him by the arm and fell into his stride.

Their conversation began with the common ship-board topics.  Then the minister asked his companion more about himself and his life.  It seemed to Chester that he purposely led up to his personal affairs, and he wondered why.  There were some parts of his history that he did not desire to talk about.  What did this man wish to know?

“How long did you live in Utah?” asked the minister, after receiving little information about Chester’s birth and parentage.

“Altogether, about a year.”

“And you liked it out there?”

“Very much.  The mountain air is fine; and that is truly the land of opportunity.”

The two swung around the deck, keeping in step.  Chester pressed his companion’s arm close.  They reached in their orbit the point nearest to Lucy and Elder Malby, then without stopping went on around.