heeked, unashamedly aglow. The secret of her
happiness was patent to the most casual eye. Tired men and work-worn
women looked at her as she passed, and glowed in sympathy, and from her
their glance passed on to the tall man with the deep-set eyes, who
walked by her side. Martin's happiness was as great as his wife's, but
man-like he was at pains to conceal it. The consciousness of being
observed was enough to extinguish his smiles, and Katrine was amusedly
conscious that he was making an effort to appear depressed at the
prospect of her own departure. The newly-married pair had accompanied
her on board the steamer, armed with flowers, with fruit, with scent and
bonbons, with cushions and medicines, until the small cabin had been
blocked to overflowing, and the passengers who had braved the rigours of
the Bay, debated among themselves as to the identity of the handsome
girl who had such a luxurious send-off.

Standing on the deck amid the roar and bustle of approaching departure,
the three had spoken their farewell words.

"I won't say good-bye," Grizel declared. "_En avant_! Katrine!
There's a good time coming!"

But the tears stood in Katrine's eyes. She was leaving the known, the
safe, and the sure, and sailing forth into the unknown. Fear seized
her, and with it regret.

"If--if I come home soon... You won't be cross if I turn up like a bad
penny? You will take me in, until I find some work?"

"My dear girl, you know it! If you are not happy; if you don't want to
go, come back with us _now_! Never mind the clothes... We'll arrange
all that. You shan't go one step against your will..."

Grizel laid her hand on her husband's arm. Her cool, calm voice was
like a tonic, bracing the hearers into composure.

"She is going of her _own_ will, and if _You_ would take her back with
you now, _I won't_, so you can choose between us! We're ready for you,
Katrine dear, when you've tried it, and grown tired, but not before.
I'm just afraid we'll have too long to wait! ... Now smile this minute!
Would you leave me stranded on a foreign shore with a lugubrious
spouse!"

Then Katrine laughed, and they kissed and embraced, and Grizel slipping
her hand through her husband's arm, drew him towards the gangway.

"Belovedest!" she whispered softly. "_I'm here_!" and Katrine looking
down from her towering perch watched the lift of the charming face,
caught the swift, mutual glance, and realised that no outside a