“I am so glad,” she said, in conclusion, “that we decided to take rooms at this hotel during our sojourn in Havana.  At first I thought I would like to go to some more quiet place, but Justin thought we would be better served here, and,” with a gentle smile, “I believe it was wisely ordered so that we could help you.”

Mona feared that she should not be able to sleep at all, her nerves had been so wrought upon, but her companion was so cheerful and reassuring in all that she said that before she was hardly aware that she was sleepy she had dropped off into a sound slumber.

At six o’clock the next morning a sharp rap on their door awakened the two ladies.

They arose immediately, and had hardly finished dressing when an appetizing breakfast appeared.  Miss Cutler received the tray at the door, so that the waiter need not enter the room, and then was so merry and entertaining as, with her own hands she served Mona, that the young girl forgot her nervousness, in a measure, and ate quite heartily.

By the time their meal was finished another rap warned them that the porters had come for their trunks.

“Step inside the closet, dear,” said Miss Cutler, in a whisper, and Mona noiselessly obeyed her.

The door was then opened, and both trunks were removed, apparently without exciting any suspicion over the fact that there were two instead of one as when Miss Cutler arrived.

A few minutes later Mr. Cutler appeared, and Mona, clad in Miss Cutler’s long ulster—­which she had worn almost every day during her sojourn there—­and with a thick veil over her face, took her tall protector’s arm, and went tremblingly out.

Her heart almost failed her as she passed through the main entrance hall, which she had crossed in such despair only a few hours previously; but Mr. Cutler quietly bade her “be calm and have no fear,” then led her down the steps, and assisted her to enter the carriage that was waiting at the door.

The next moment another figure stepped quickly in after her, Mr. Cutler followed, the door was closed, and they were driven rapidly away.

Arriving at the steamer-landing, they all went on board, and after attending to the baggage, Mr. Cutler conducted his ladies directly to their stateroom.

“I will get you a room by yourself, if you prefer;” he said to Mona, “but I thought perhaps you might feel less lonely if you should share my sister’s.”

“Thank you, but I should much prefer to remain with Miss Cutler if it will be agreeable to her,” Mona returned, with a wistful glance at the lady.

“Indeed, I shall be very glad to have you with me,” was the cordial reply, accompanied by a charming smile, for already the gentlewoman had become greatly interested in her fair companion.

“That is settled, then,” said the gentleman, smiling, “and now you may feel perfectly safe; do not give yourself the least uneasiness, but try to enjoy the voyage—­that is, if old Neptune will be quiet and allow you.”