he day when you and he first met."

He turned and left her.

A few minutes later, Mrs. Crayford, entering the conservatory, was met
by one of the attendants at the ball. The man stopped as if he wished to
speak to her.

"What do you want?" she asked.

"I beg your pardon, ma'am. Do you happen to have a smelling-bottle about
you? There is a young lady in the conservatory who is taken faint."

Between the Scenes--The Landing Stage

Chapter 5.

The morning of the next day--the morning on which the ships were to
sail--came bright and breezy. Mrs. Crayford, having arranged to follow
her husband to the water-side, and see the last of him before he
embarked, entered Clara's room on her way out of the house, anxious
to hear how her young friend passed the night. To her astonishment she
found Clara had risen, and was dressed, like herself, to go out.

"What does this mean, my dear? After what you suffered last night--after
the shock of seeing that man--why don't you take my advice and rest in
your bed?"

"I can't rest. I have not slept all night. Have you been out yet?"

"No."

"Have you seen or heard anything of Richard Wardour?"

"What an extraordinary question!"

"Answer my question! Don't trifle with me!"

"Compose yourself, Clara. I have neither seen nor heard anything of
Richard Wardour. Take my word for it, he is far enough away by this
time."

"No! He is here! He is near us! All night long the presentiment has
pursued me--Frank and Richard Wardour will meet."

"My dear child! what are you thinking of? They are total strangers to
each other."

"Something will happen to bring them together. I feel it! I know it!
They will meet--there will be a mortal quarrel between them--and I shall
be to blame. Oh, Lucy! why didn't I take your advice? Why was I
mad enough to let Frank know that I loved him? Are you going to the
landing-stage? I am all ready--I must go with you."

"You must not think of it, Clara. There will be crowding and confusion
at the water-side. You are not strong enough to bear it. Wait--I won't
be long away--wait till I come back."

"I must and will go with you! Crowd? _He_ will be among the crowd!
Confusion? In that confusion _he_ will find his way to Frank! Don't ask
me to wait. I shall go mad if I wait. I shall not know a moment's ease
until I have seen Frank, with my own eyes, safe in the boat which takes
him to his ship! You have got your bonnet on; what are we stopping he