d with the ghost of a smile. "It would certainly
appear so; for the burden of your conversation, ever since we came on
board, has been my trans-shipment!"

"Embarrassing!" ejaculated Leslie, in extreme surprise. "Most certainly
not; on the contrary--" he interrupted himself. "That is not the point
at all," he continued. "I have assumed--very naturally, I think--that
you are anxious either to return home and make a fresh start, or else to
continue your outward journey, according as circumstances may determine;
and I, on my part, have been most anxious to meet what I conceived to be
your wishes. But, as to your presence aboard the brig being an
_embarrassment_ to me, I assure you that the longer you are compelled to
remain here, the better I shall be pleased."

"Thank you," answered the girl; "I suppose I must accept that admission
as a compliment. Well, Mr Leslie, of course you are quite right in
assuming that, if a favourable opportunity should offer, I would gladly
avail myself of it. But my greatest anxiety is to allay that of my
friends; which, I imagine, they will not begin to experience until some
little time has elapsed after the date at which the _Golden Fleece_
might reasonably be expected to reach Melbourne. And about that time I
should think we ought to be at Valparaiso, ought we not? Very well. In
that case, it will be easy for me to despatch from there a reassuring
cable message to my Australian friends, following it up with a letter of
explanation, and all will be well. Moreover, though you would perhaps
never suspect it, I am of a decidedly roving and adventurous
disposition, and I shall not at all object to visiting Valparaiso; you
need, therefore, worry yourself no further upon that feature of the
matter. But, of course, if you would rather not have me--"

"Pray say no more, I beg you," interrupted Leslie. "Your continued
presence on board this brig can only be a source of the keenest pleasure
and satisfaction to me; and if you can be content to remain, I shall be
more than content that you do so."

And thus was settled a matter that was destined to exercise a most
important influence upon the lives of these two people.

Singularly enough, within an hour of the occurrence of the
above-recorded conversation, a sail was sighted ahead, steering north;
which upon her nearer approach proved to be a South Sea whaler,
homeward-bound. She was steering a course that promised to bring the
two cr