“I have only one pupil of a musical and romantic turn.  You are altogether wrong in thinking me indifferent to luxury; I am quite longing to be in a comfortable house again.”

“Your penance will be over in a day or two.  Why do you stay out to be drenched with spray and perished with cold?” very discontentedly.

“How can I be either with all these wraps? and, when you are not sulky, your society is preferable to Mrs. Oliphant’s!”

“Yes; that is about my place in your—­what shall I call it?  Regard is a nice, proper word,—­just more acceptable than the plainest and most spiteful woman on board.”

“Rather more than that,” said Bluebell, gently.  “It would have been far worse without you; but after this voyage we are not likely to meet again, though I shall never think of it without remembering my friend.”

“What a nice word!” savagely.  “Why don’t you add,—­

  ‘Others may woo me—­thou art my friend?’

Do you know that song, Miss Leigh?”

“Yes,” laughing.

  “’Lonely and sadly his young life did end;
    Pause by my tombstone, and pity thy friend.’

It’s enough to draw tears from one’s eyes.”

“Well!” said the lieutenant, “I never met a Canadian girl before, but I see now they are the coldest, most insensible—­oh! of course, you only laugh.  How do you know we shall never meet again?  Suppose I call on you in your new—­situation.”

“Governesses are not allowed ‘followers.’  I mean, male visitors would be considered as such.”

“Couldn’t I get a tutorship in the same family?”

“There are no boys.  Gracious! what a wave.  Surely it is getting rougher, Mr. Dutton?”

“Well, yes.  I think I must take you down.  The next roller may wash over you.  Lean all your weight on me, or you’ll be blown off your feet.”

In a most incoherent manner she reached the gangway, and, clinging to the banisters, reeled into her cabin, where was Mrs. Oliphant in hysterics.  The stewardess was in attendance, and she was insisting on her immediately fetching the captain, as, without his assurance that there was no danger, she declined to be calm.

“As if the captain could leave his bridge!” said Bluebell, laughing.  “And I am sure the ship would go down if he did.”

Another shriek from Mrs. Oliphant, who, with a desperate effort, seized on a life-belt, and called to the stewardess to assist in its adjustment.

“Oh, dear!” cried Bluebell.  “And what is to become of me?  However, you are quite welcome to it.  I had sooner be drowned at once than bob about on a wave, with sharks nibbling at my toes for an hour or two previously.”

“Perhaps, ma’am, now this young lady be come, who seems to have a good heart,” said the stewardess, “you will let me go to Mrs. Preston and Mrs. Butler, who have been wanting me ever so long.”

“No; I will not be deserted.  Mrs. Butler has her husband and Mrs. Preston has her maid.”