count of the battle and of the loss of the _Eagle_ and of his own
bitter disappointment, she was sitting by the death-bed of Mrs Treviss.
Had it not been for the burning of the _Eagle_, Ralph might even now
have been with her, but instead, he had certainly gone to that far, far
off Indian Ocean, where he might be kept for years. Jessie restrained
her tears that she might not disturb her grandmother's last hours.

Mrs Treviss, who was thinking of Captain Mudge, asked faintly if he was
coming.

"No hope of it, dear granny," she answered, in a faltering voice.

"God's will be done! Trust to Him! Trust to Him!" whispered, the old
woman, closing her eyes as if she were weary and wanted sleep.

Jessie sat long watching her anxiously. There was no movement. She
took her hand. It was icy cold. Her granny was dead, and she was alone
in the world. The doctor some time after looked in and found the young
girl still seated by the bedside. He sent a woman, Dame Judson by name,
to assist her, and promised to make arrangements for the funeral, but he
had a large family of his own, and could do little more except in the
way of sympathy and advice. Mrs Treviss was carried to her grave,
Jessie being the only mourner, while Dame Judson walked by her side to
afford her support.

When she came back to her solitary home she could not for some time
arouse herself from her grief, though Dame Judson, a motherly sort of
woman, tried her best to console her. Jessie, however, felt that it was
necessary to consider what she should do for her support. The cottage
was hers, and she had about ten pounds a year left her, the interest of
a sum in the hands of Messrs. Grayson and Company, shipowners, of
Plymouth. She could make something by her needle, but scarcely
sufficient, though she was resolved to try her best. She would have let
her cottage and looked for a situation as a lady's-maid or a
nursery-governess, but then should Ralph come back he would be
disappointed at not finding her there, and she might not even hear of
his return, so she would not entertain the idea for a moment. She might
find an old lady to lodge with her, and her last idea was to open a
school for little girls. She had no one to consult with. Worthy Dame
Judson hadn't an idea above charing; with her neighbours she was but
slightly acquainted. Messrs. Grayson and Company had paid her
grandmother's interest regularly, but were not pleasant people to speak
t