the lady towards the ship's ladder.

"A good ducking," said Mrs. Cox, with a cheery laugh, as at the
moment a dashing wave covered them with its spray. "And I've got it
too, with a vengeance. Ha! ha! Take care of the baby, whatever you
do; and if she falls over, mind you go after her." And with another
little peal of silver ringing laughter, she tripped up the side of
the ship, and Bertram, with the baby, followed after her.

"She is such a giddy thing," said Mrs. Price, turning her soft eyes
on poor Arthur Wilkinson. "Oh, laws! I know I shall be drowned. Do
hold me." And Arthur Wilkinson did hold her, and nearly carried her
up into the ship. As he did so, his mind would fly off to Adela
Gauntlet; but his arms and legs were not the less at the service of
Mrs. Price.

"And now look after the places," said Mrs. Cox; "you haven't a moment
to lose. And look here, Mr. Bertram, mind, I won't sit next to Major
Biffin. And, for heaven's sake, don't let us be near that fellow
M'Gramm." And so Bertram descended into the _salon_ to place their
cards in the places at which they were to sit for dinner. "Two and
two; opposite to each other," sang out Mrs. Cox, as he went. There
was a sweetness in her voice, a low, mellow cheeriness in her tone,
which, combined with her beauty, went far to atone for the nature of
what she said; and Bertram not unwillingly obeyed her behests.

"Oh, my blessed baby!" said Mrs. Price, as the nurse handed her the
child--which, however, she immediately handed back. "How can I thank
you enough, Mr. Wilkinson? What should we have done without you? I
wonder whether it's near tiffin. I am so faint."

"Shall I fetch you anything?" said he.

"If you could get me a glass of porter. But I don't think they'll
give it you. They are so uncivil!"

Arthur went for the beer; but went in vain. The steward said that
lunch would be ready at twelve o'clock.

"They are such brutes!" said Mrs. Price. "Well, I suppose I must
wait." And she again turned her eyes upon Arthur, and he again
thought of Adela Gauntlet.

And then there was the ordinary confusion of a starting ship. Men and
women were hurrying about after their luggage, asking all manner of
unreasonable questions. Ladies were complaining of their berths, and
servants asking where on _h_earth they were to sleep. Gentlemen were
swearing that they had been shamefully doubled up--that is, made
to lie with two or three men in the same cabin; and friends were