rein, and took the
passenger list out of his pocket. He had already scanned it rather
cursorily, having but the smallest expectation of coming upon a familiar
name, yet feeling sure that, had hers been there, it could not have
escaped him. Nevertheless, he now ran his eye over the columns with
eager scrutiny, and the hands which held the paper shook a little.

There was no name in the least like Blake. It occurred to him that by
some chance or error hers might have been omitted, when his eye caught
the following:

William Ruggles New York.
Mrs. Ruggles " "
Mrs. Edward Ruggles " "

It was plain to him then. She was obviously traveling with the people
whom she had just joined on deck, and it was equally plain that she was
Mrs. Edward Ruggles. When he looked up the ship was out in the river.

CHAPTER XLVI.

John had been late in applying for his passage, and in consequence, the
ship being very full, had had to take what berth he could get, which
happened to be in the second cabin. The occupants of these quarters,
however, were not rated as second-class passengers. The Vaterland took
none such on her outward voyages, and all were on the same footing as to
the fare and the freedom of the ship. The captain and the orchestra
appeared at dinner in the second saloon on alternate nights, and the
only disadvantage in the location was that it was very far aft; unless
it could be considered a drawback that the furnishings were of plain
wood and plush instead of carving, gilding, and stamped leather. In
fact, as the voyage proceeded, our friend decided that the after-deck
was pleasanter than the one amidships, and the cozy second-class
smoking-room more agreeable than the large and gorgeous one forward.

Consequently, for a while he rarely went across the bridge which spanned
the opening between the two decks. It may be that he had a certain
amount of reluctance to encounter Mrs. Edward Ruggles.

The roof of the second cabin deck-house was, when there was not too much
wind, a favorite place with him. It was not much frequented, as most of
those who spent their time on deck apparently preferred a place nearer
amidships. He was sitting there on the morning of the fifth day out,
looking idly over the sea, with an occasional glance at the people who
were walking on the promenade-deck below, or leaning on the rail which
bounded it. He turned at a slight sound behind him, and rose with his
hat in h