ne doesn't wear the Rock of Gibraltar on one's sleeve, at all
events," I remarked.

"Do you mean that if you ever did have a love-affair you wouldn't
confide in me, when I adore you so, Charlotte?"

"I mean something of the sort, my child." At which she made a feint of
beating me with her little silver hair-brush, but ended in kissing my
cheek and whispering: "Good-night! You are a darling, even if you have
no sentiment."

* * * * *

Morning came. We anchored outside St. Croix at five o'clock; went
through medical inspection at six, and if there was anything the
matter with Dolly's heart or mine the physician did not offer any
comment. Then about ten we approached St. Thomas for the second time.

If the Virgin Islands looked beautiful when we first saw them, they
had grown in beauty during our brief absence, and my birthplace, in
the shining distance, was a very dream of loveliness. We saw its
outline rising above a rim of azure sea, with the mountains of Porto
Rico standing out to the westward. The great palm groves on the shore
led the eye upward to the green hills and the clouds topping the
higher peaks. Gayly painted boats began to come near the Diana, and
naked diving boys, slender shapes of brown mahogany, plunged into the
sea to catch our pennies. Then we saw the red roofs of Charlotte
Amalia, the little park near the landing, and the pink, toy-like
fortress with the Stars and Stripes floating over it.

Dorothea and I stood near the deck-rail, her hand in mine. In her
white dress, her broad hat wreathed with corn-flowers, and a scarlet
sunshade, she looked a youthful Columbia, so radiant and bewitching
that for the first time I secretly hoped Marmaduke Hogg might triumph
over the obstacles in the way and come to meet his ladylove, although
I saw many embarrassing and awkward situations arising from such a
meeting. I could not be jealous of so bright and joyous a creature,
and anyway my own happiness was only a few days distant, if I chose to
put out my arms and take it.

There seemed to be a crowd on the dock, which was made most
unattractive by a colossal mountain of coal that concealed everything
behind it. The Diana made a slow approach, but we finally passed the
coal-heap and came within thirty feet of the shore. I could feel
Dolly's heart beat through her pulse that lay under my hand. Then
suddenly her quick eyes searched the outer edge of the crowd and foun