sured her of the joys awaiting her and them in Rangoon. Dances,
picknics, concerts, paper-chases--in short, no end of gaiety--all to be
enjoyed in that yet unknown and romantic country, "the Land of the
Golden Umbrella." Often the girls sat in one another's cabins,
discussed and described frocks and beautiful toilettes, at present
unseen and packed away in the baggage-room. Also they talked over
their fellow-passengers--not forgetting the young men--and when
Shafto's name was mentioned, an occasional sly glance or hint would be
thrown at Sophy, of which she endeavoured to appear serenely
unconscious.

* * * * * *

Early one morning the passengers awoke to find themselves at anchor in
Colombo harbour, and the soft warm air brought them a delicious whiff
of the celebrated cinnamon gardens. Many were landing for Southern
India and a quantity of cargo had to be discharged. As this was bound
to be a lengthy process, the remnant who were bound for Rangoon had
nearly a whole day ashore. Mrs. Milward and maid, and her young
friends Miss Leigh and Mr. Shafto, Herr Bernhard, the Pomeroys, Mrs.
Lacy and several of her satellites, breakfasted at the Galle Face
Hotel, and subsequently made trips in rickshaws, shopped in the bazaar,
and had afternoon tea at Mount Lavinia.

It was, as everyone agreed, a most delightful break. On that same
evening, as they steamed out into the moonlit Bay of Bengal, Sophy and
Shafto paced the half-deserted deck, gazing on the Southern Cross, and
the former suddenly said:

"That was our last stopping-place. When I leave the _Blankshire_,
where I have been so much at home, I shall feel rather astray."

"So you would like a home on the rolling deep?" suggested her companion.

"No, indeed; shall I _ever_ forget that day we had off Crete? But I
have never been long away from mother; I am going to a new country, a
new life, and almost new relations--it all seems so strange and vague."

"But your aunt cannot be a stranger," suggested Shafto. "You know her,
don't you?"

"Oh, yes; but I have not seen her for eight years. The last time she
was over, she stayed with us for a few weeks. I remember her as
handsome and beautifully dressed, with wonderful toilet arrangements in
ivory and silver, and bottles of heavy Indian scent. She was very kind
and had such soft caressing manners, and gave us lots of chocolate and
nice presents. I recollect a beautiful emerald