tic situation. She saw herself, effectively
dressed, rushing to the rail and hailing any passing ship which might be
nearest. Sir Roger Broom, or her late friend George Trent, might try to
stop her, but their violence would be seen from some other ship, and her
cause against them would be strengthened.

Surely her appeals would not be ignored; men, of whatever class or
country, were never blind to the distress of a woman as beautiful as she.
Yes, she would be rescued. The story that she would tell must rouse
indignation against Virginia Beverly and her companions. She herself had
nothing to fear--nothing. And the man on whose advice she had spent years
of exile would admire her more than ever, when he knew what she had
endured, without breaking down. The end of her probation had come. The
reason for delay had disappeared now, after all these years. They would
marry, he and she, and he would help her to forget the past.

Manuela's reflections did not cause her to waste time. They were a mere
accompaniment to her rapid action. Virginia had said they would soon be
in the harbour. She must prepare herself to leave the yacht, and get
ready to carry with her such things as were indispensable. Hurriedly she
threw off the _robe de chambre_ of silk and lace which she had been
wearing, and put on a charming dress, suitable for travelling. The long
outstanding account for this _confection_ had been paid with Virginia
Beverly's money; but that was a detail.

When she was ready to go up on deck--which she would do as soon as the
yacht dropped anchor--she took her jewels from the large leather box
where they were kept, and wrapping everything in a soft silk scarf, she
stuffed the thick parcel into a handbag, which already held several
mysterious-looking bottles with the labels carefully taken off. This bag
was always locked, except when the Countess was at her toilet; then, for
a brief time, the bottles came out, and a few tiny boxes and brushes;
but she never forgot to put them back into the bag again, turn the key,
and slip the latter on to the gold key-ring which she wore on her
chatelaine.

The bag packed with jewels, as well as its legitimate contents, Manuela
turned her attention to the larger luggage. This she could not carry away
with her, if she were gallantly rescued from her sea-prison by a _coup
d'etat_; but it would be as well to have the things which she most valued
ready to go later. She had filled her cabin-box, an