These looks of theirs which had so inadvertently encountered each other were of that order which sometimes startles one when in passing a stranger one finds one’s eyes entangled for a second in his or hers, as the case may be.  At such times it seems for that instant difficult to disentangle one’s gaze.  But neither of these two thought of the other much, after hurrying away.  Each was too fully mastered by personal mood.

There would, indeed, have been no reason for their encountering each other further but for “the accident,” as it was called when spoken of afterwards, the accident which might so easily have been a catastrophe.  It occurred that night.  This was two nights before they were to land.

Everybody had begun to come under the influence of that cheerfulness of humour, the sense of relief bordering on gaiety, which generally elates people when a voyage is drawing to a close.  If one has been dull, one begins to gather one’s self together, rejoiced that the boredom is over.  In any case, there are plans to be made, thought of, or discussed.

“You wish to go to Stornham at once?” Mrs. Worthington said to Bettina.  “How pleased Lady Anstruthers and Sir Nigel must be at the idea of seeing you with them after so long.”

“I can scarcely tell you how I am looking forward to it,” Betty answered.

She sat in her corner among her cushions looking at the dark water which seemed to sweep past the ship, and listening to the throb of the engines.  She was not gay.  She was wondering how far the plans she had made would prove feasible.  Mrs. Worthington was not aware that her visit to Stornham Court was to be unannounced.  It had not been necessary to explain the matter.  The whole affair was simple and decorous enough.  Miss Vanderpoel was to bid good-bye to her friends and go at once to her sister, Lady Anstruthers, whose husband’s country seat was but a short journey from London.  Bettina and her father had arranged that the fact should be kept from the society paragraphist.  This had required some adroit management, but had actually been accomplished.

As the waves swished past her, Bettina was saying to herself, “What will Rosy say when she sees me!  What shall I say when I see Rosy?  We are drawing nearer to each other with every wave that passes.”

A fog which swept up suddenly sent them all below rather early.  The Worthingtons laughed and talked a little in their staterooms, but presently became quiet and had evidently gone to bed.  Bettina was restless and moved about her room alone after she had sent away her maid.  She at last sat down and finished a letter she had been writing to her father.