They met at the inn, as appointed; and sent word of their arrival on board the frigate, asking to remain on shore till the last minute.

Dr. Staines presented his patient to Rosa; and after a little while drew him apart and questioned him professionally.  He then asked for a private room.  Here he and Rosa really took leave; for what could the poor things say to each other on a crowded quay?  He begged her forgiveness, on his knees, for having once spoken harshly to her, and she told him, with passionate sobs, he had never spoken harshly to her; her folly it was had parted them.

Poor wretches! they clung together with a thousand vows of love and constancy.  They were to pray for each other at the same hours:  to think of some kind word or loving act, at other stated hours; and so they tried to fight with their suffering minds against the cruel separation; and if either should die, the other was to live wedded to memory, and never listen to love from other lips; but no!  God was pitiful; He would let them meet again ere long, to part no more.  They rocked in each other’s arms; they cried over each other—­it was pitiful.

At last the cruel summons came; they shuddered, as if it was their death-blow.  Christopher, with a face of agony, was yet himself, and would have parted then:  and so best.  But Rosa could not.  She would see the last of him, and became almost wild and violent when he opposed it.

Then he let her come with him to Milbay Steps; but into the boat he would not let her step.

The ship’s boat lay at the steps, manned by six sailors, all seated, with their oars tossed in two vertical rows.  A smart middy in charge conducted them, and Dr. Staines and Lord Tadcaster got in, leaving Rosa, in charge of her maid, on the quay.

“Shove off”—­“Down”—­“Give way.”

Each order was executed so swiftly and surely that, in as many seconds, the boat was clear, the oars struck the water with a loud splash, and the husband was shot away like an arrow, and the wife’s despairing cry rang on the stony quay, as many a poor woman’s cry had rung before.

In half a minute the boat shot under the stern of the frigate.

They were received on the quarter-deck by Captain Hamilton:  he introduced them to the officers—­a torture to poor Staines, to have his mind taken for a single instant from his wife—­the first lieutenant came aft, and reported, “Ready for making sail, sir.”

Staines seized the excuse, rushed to the other side of the vessel, leaned over the taffrail, as if he would fly ashore, and stretched out his hands to his beloved Rosa; and she stretched out her hands to him.  They were so near, he could read the expression of her face.  It was wild and troubled, as one who did not yet realize the terrible situation, but would not be long first.

“Hands make sail—­away, aloft—­up anchor”—­rang in Christopher’s ear, as if in a dream.  All his soul and senses were bent on that desolate young creature.  How young and amazed her lovely face!  Yet this bewildered child was about to become a mother.  Even a stranger’s heart might have yearned with pity for her:  how much more her miserable husband’s!