s; could see as little or as much of him as she
desired.

She rose, with sudden determination, cast a last look in the glass, and
walked resolutely towards the saloon. She was late, for the second
course was already being cleared away, and a steady hum of conversation
rose from the crowded tables. Katrine steered her way to her own seat
at the far end of the great room, a graceful figure, with head held
high, and flushed, frowning face. The diners followed her with their
eyes, and commented among themselves.

"Fine girl--beautiful eyes! Holds herself well. Pretty, but too
tempery for my taste... Pity she mixes herself up with that Vernon
brute. Expect she's used to a Bohemian set. Beverley's sister, I'm
told... Author fellow who married Grizel Dundas. Ever met her? The
most fascinating little witch! Could smile the heart out of a stone
wall. Might have married any one she liked, instead of chucking away a
fortune for the sake of a scribbler..."

Katrine pursued her way unconscious of criticisms, which, if overheard,
would have accentuated the "tempery" expression. Her heart was beating
with unaccustomed quickness, she kept her eyes averted from her own
empty seat, and--the seat beyond! Even at the moment of stopping she
would not look, but a tall figure rose suddenly, hand shot out, a voice
spoke, level and expressionless: "Miss Beverley, I believe!"

It was he! Once more Katrine met the gaze of grey eyes, curiously light
in the brown face; once more felt the sudden, half-fearful thrill.

"Captain Bedford! I--I think I saw you on shore this afternoon."

"At the hydrant. Yes!" He seated himself after her. "I enjoyed your
enjoyment. It's an amusing sight when one is new to the East. Has the
voyage been pleasant so far?"

The words were pronounced with an amount of hesitation which comforted
Katrine, by their betrayal of the fact that the nervousness was not all
on her side. She made a determined effort to regain composure, and talk
in natural, easy fashion.

"Quite, thank you. My powers as a sailor are untried; there has been no
excuse to feel ill. And I'm luxuriating in the heat. I may have too
much of that soon... I hope you are better!"

"Quite fit, thanks. Have you made any friends on board?"

Katrine took note of the hasty dismissal of the health topic. It was no
doubt a painful subject, and one which he was naturally anxious to
forget. She turned her head with an involuntary