o the touch again. Lucia, you know what
I want to say; can't you forget the past, and come home to Hunsdon and
be my wife?"

They stood still side by side, in the starry darkness and neither of
them knew very well for a few minutes what they said. Only Maurice
understood that the object of his life was gained; and Lucia felt that
from henceforth, for ever, she would never be perverse, or passionate,
or wilful again, for Maurice had forgiven her, and loved her still.

They never noticed that the boat was delayed beyond its time, and that
other passengers chafed at the delay. They stayed on deck in the
starlight, and said little to each other, but they both felt that a new
life had begun--a life which seemed to be grafted on the old one before
their troubles, and to have nothing to do with this last year. When
Maurice was about to say good-night at the cabin door, he made the first
allusion to what had brought them together.

"I shall pension Bailey," he said. "His last good deed blots out all his
misdoings."

"What good deed?"

"Frightening you."

"He did not frighten me."

"Frightening Mrs. Costello then. It comes to the same thing in the end.
But why did not you send for your cousin, Mr. Wynter?"

"Ask mamma."

"I have something more interesting to ask her."

Mrs. Costello knew tolerably well, when Lucia kissed her that night,
what had happened. She said nothing audibly, but in her heart there was
a _Nunc Dimittis_ sung thankfully; and in spite of the sea, she fell
asleep over it. The night was as calm as it could be, and Maurice, who
had no inclination for sleep or for the presence of the crowd below,
spent most of it on deck. Towards morning he went down; but at seven
o'clock, when Lucia peeped out, he was up again and waiting for her. She
only gave him a little nod and smile, however, and then retreated, but
presently came back with her mother.

They got chairs and sat watching the coast, which was quickly coming
nearer, and the vessels which they passed lying out in the still
waters.

"We shall be in in two hours," Maurice said, "though we were late
starting. The captain says he has not had such a good run this year."

"For which I am very thankful," Mrs. Costello answered.

"What a mercy it is to have got away so easily; it was well we sent to
you, Maurice."

"Very well; the best thing that ever was done. Lucia and I agreed as to
that last night."

Lucia pouted the very least in the world, an