making her steady course over the
open ocean. Then he began to watch the weather as eagerly as if the
ship's speed and safety had depended on his care. Every day he went, the
moment the notice was put up, to see what progress they had made since
the day before, and, according as their rate of movement was slower or
faster, his day and night were serene or disturbed.

The number of passengers was small. With what there were he soon formed
the kind of acquaintance which people shut up together for a certain
time generally make with each other. Everybody was eager for the
conclusion of the voyage, for the weather, though on the whole fine, was
intensely cold, and only the bravest or hardiest could venture to spend
much time on deck. Down below every device for killing time was in
requisition; but in spite of all, the question, "When shall we reach New
York?" was discussed over and over again; and each indication of their
voyage being by a few hours shorter than they had a right to expect, was
hailed with the greatest delight.

One day when they were really near the end of their voyage, Maurice and
a fellow-passenger, a young man of about his own age, were walking
briskly up and down the deck, trying to keep themselves warm, and
talking of Canada, to which they were both bound. A sailor who had come
for some purpose to the part of the deck where they were, suddenly
called their attention to a curl of smoke far off on the horizon; it was
something homeward bound, he said--he could not tell what, but they
would most likely pass near each other.

The two young men had been thinking of going down, but the idea of
meeting a ship of any kind was sufficient excitement to keep them on
deck. They continued their walk, stopping every now and then to watch
the smoke as it grew more and more distinct. Presently the steamer
itself became visible, and other persons began to assemble and guess
what steamer it could be and how long it would be before they passed
each other. Meanwhile the stranger came nearer and nearer; at last it
could be recognized--the 'Atalanta,' from New York to Havre. Maurice
borrowed a glass from one of the officers, and, going a little apart
from the group on the deck of the 'India,' set himself to examine that
of the 'Atalanta.' A sudden feeling of dismay had seized upon him. He
had no more reason to suppose that Lucia was on board this steamer than
he had to believe that she had sailed a week ago, or that she