"Yes."

"Well, I met an old friend at my own gate, who walked with me a part of
the way here. Last night my friend dined with the admiral at Portsmouth.
Among the guests there was a member of the Ministry who had brought the
news about the Expedition with him from London. This gentleman told the
company there was very little doubt that the Admiralty would immediately
send out a steam-vessel, to meet the rescued men on the shores of
America, and bring them home. Wait a little, Mrs. Crayford! Nobody
knows, as yet, under what rules and regulations the vessel will sail.
Under somewhat similar circumstances, privileged people have been
received as passengers, or rather as guests, in her majesty's ships--and
what has been conceded on former occasions may, by bare possibility, be
conceded now. I can say no more. If you are not afraid of the voyage for
yourself, I am not afraid of it (nay, I am all in favor of it on medical
grounds) for my patient. What do you say? Will you write to your father,
and ask him to try what his interest will do with his friends at the
Admiralty?"

Mrs. Crayford rose excitedly to her feet.

"Write!" she exclaimed. "I will do better than write. The journey to
London is no great matter--and my housekeeper here is to be trusted
to take care of Clara in my absence. I will see my father to-night! He
shall make good use of his interest at the Admiralty--you may rely on
that. Oh, my dear doctor, what a prospect it is! My husband! Clara!
What a discovery you have made--what a treasure you are! How can I thank
you?"

"Compose yourself, my dear madam. Don't make too sure of success. We
may consider Miss Burnham's objections as disposed of beforehand. But
suppose the Lords of the Admiralty say No?"

"In that case, I shall be in London, doctor; and I shall go to them
myself. Lords are only men; and men are not in the habit of saying No to
me."

So they parted.

In a week from that day, her majesty's ship _Amazon_ sailed for North
America. Certain privileged persons, specially interested in the Arctic
voyagers, were permitted to occupy the empty state-rooms on board.
On the list of these favored guests of the ship were the names of two
ladies--Mrs. Crayford and Miss Burnham.

Fifth Scene--The Boat-House.

Chapter 16.

Once more the open sea--the sea whose waters break on the shores of
Newfoundland! An English steamship lies at anchor in the offing. The
vessel is plainly visible t