ve to
hurry off immediately on landing to bring up a company of men, but as
Dorothea would explain, the agent in Bombay had been instructed to look
after tickets, baggage, etc., and make every arrangement for the four
days' journey. Could she not find some woman who would share the
carriage for even part of the way? Her second letter, following hard on
the heels of that memorable acceptance, had been perhaps a necessary
corrective, but she could hardly expect it to be welcome! So far the
letter was grave, commonplace, almost business-like, but at the end an
effort had evidently been made to adopt a lighter tone. He referred to
her examination paper, declared that a careful examination of ears
having been made, by means of tape measure and mirror, he might be
considered to have passed with honours. As to the wife's little ways,
his mode of procedure would in each case be the same,--"_Kiss the
wife_!"

That evoked a smile, but despite the effort at brightness Katrine was
conscious of the underlying depression, which the last sentence put into
words. "Now that our meeting is so near, I am consumed with doubts.
Not of my own feelings--never think that, but of yours! Why should you
care for me, Katrine? What is there about me to attract a girl like
you? I kick myself for my boldness and self-confidence; but at least,
dear, you shall not be worried. Be sure of that! No thought of me must
interfere with what seems best for you, and your happiness. Keep that
thought before you, dear, through all the hours which carry you across
the sea, and find courage in it. No happiness can come to me, which
leaves you empty or dissatisfied!"

Katrine folded the letter, replaced it in its envelope, and sat on the
side of her bunk staring vacantly into space. For the first time the
reading of a letter from Jim had left behind a feeling of disappointment
and jar. He had struck a wrong note, and one which awoke in her a
feeling of resentment. Surely now, when she was actually on her way, he
should have hidden his doubts and affected an even stronger confidence
and determination. She had looked forward to the receipt of this
letter, expecting to be cheered, assured; now she could have found it in
her heart to wish that it had not arrived! Jim Blair, depressed and
doubtful, was an unfamiliar figure, with which she had no association.
From the beginning of their correspondence it had been his assurance,
this breezy self-confide