And toward Neil, Joris had also a secret feeling of resentment.  He had taken no pains to woo Katherine until some one else wanted her.  It was universally conceded that he had been the first to draw his sword, and thus indulge his own temper at the expense of their child’s good name and happiness.  Taking these faults as rudimentary ones, Lysbet could enlarge on them indefinitely; and Joris had undoubtedly been influenced by his wife’s opinions.  So, below the smiles and kind words of a long friendship, there was bitterness.  If there had not been, Janet Semple would hardly have paid that morning visit; for before Lysbet was half way down the stairs, Katherine heard her call out,—­

“Here’s a bonnie come of.  But it is what a’ folks expected.  ’The Dauntless’ sailed the morn, and Captain Earle wi’ a contingent for the West Indies station.  And who wi’ him, guess you, but Captain Hyde, and no less?  They say he has a furlough in his pocket for a twelvemonth:  more like it’s a clean, total dismissal.  The gude ken it ought to be.”

So much Katherine heard, then her mother shut to the door of the sitting-room.  A great fear made her turn faint and sick.  Were her father’s words true?  Was this the meaning of the mysterious wave of the folded paper toward the ocean?  The suspicion once entertained, she remembered several little things which strengthened it.  Her heart failed her; she uttered a low cry of pain, and tottered to a chair, like one wounded.

It was then ten o’clock.  She thought the noon hour would never come.  Eagerly she watched for Bram and her father; for any certainty would be better than such cruel fear and suspense.  And, if Richard had really gone, the fact would be known to them.  Bram came first.  For once she felt impatient of his political enthusiasm.  How could she care about liberty poles and impressed fishermen, with such a real terror at her heart?  But Bram said nothing; only, as he went out, she caught him looking at her with such pitiful eyes.  “What did he mean?” She turned coward then, and could not voice the question.  Joris was tenderly explicit.  He said to her at once, “‘The Dauntless’ sailed this morning.  Oh, my little one, sorry I am for thee!”

“Is he gone?” Very low and slow were the words; and Joris only answered, “Yes.”

Without any further question or remark, she went away.  They were amazed at her calmness.  And for some minutes after she had locked the door of her room, she stood still in the middle of the floor, more like one that has forgotten something, and is trying to remember, than a woman who has received a blow upon her heart.  No tears came to her eyes.  She did not think of weeping, or reproaching, or lamenting.  The only questions she asked herself were, “How am I to get life over?  Will such suffering kill me very soon?”

Joris and Lysbet talked it over together.  “Cohen told me,” said Joris, “that Captain Hyde called to bid him good-by.  He said, ’He is a very honourable young man, a very grateful young man, and I rejoice that I was helpful in saving his life.’  Then I asked him in what ship he was to sail, and he said ‘The Dauntless.’  She left her moorings this morning between nine and ten.  She carries troops to Kingston, Captain Earle in command; and I heard that Captain Hyde has a year’s furlough.”