e on board, the anchor was weighed with many
a cheery and musical cry from the sailors; the wheel revolved rapidly
under Valdemar Svensen's firm hand,--and with a grand outward sweeping
curtsy to the majestic Fjord she left behind her, the _Eulalie_ steamed
away, cutting a glittering line of white foam through the smooth water
as she went, and threading her way swiftly among the clustering
picturesque islands,--while the inhabitants of every little farm and
hamlet on the shores, stopped for a while in their occupations to stare
at the superb vessel, and to dreamily envy the wealth of the English
_Herren_ who could afford to pass the summer months in such luxury and
idleness. Thelma seated herself at once by Duprez, and seemed glad to
divert attention from herself to him.

"You are better, Monsieur Duprez, are you not?" she asked gently. "We
saw Sigurd this morning; he came home last night. He is very, very sorry
to have hurt you!"

"He need not apologize," said Duprez cheerfully. "I am delighted he gave
me this scar, otherwise I am confident he would have put out the eye of
Phil-eep. And that would have been a misfortune! For what would the
ladies in London say if _le beau_ Errington returned to them with one
eye! _Mon Dieu!_ they would all be en desespoir!"

Thelma looked up. Philip was standing at some little distance with Olaf
Gueldmar and Lorimer, talking and laughing gaily. His cap was slightly
pushed off his forehead, and the sun shone on his thick dark-chestnut
curls; his features, warmly colored by the wind and sea, were lit up
with mirth, and his even white teeth sparkled in an irresistible smile
of fascinating good-humor. He was the beau-ideal of the best type of
Englishman, in the full tide of youth, health and good spirits.

"I suppose he is a great favorite with all those beautiful ladies?" she
asked very quietly.

Something of gentle resignation in her tone struck the Frenchman's sense
of chivalry; had she been like any ordinary woman, bent on conquest, he
would have taken a mischievous delight in inventing a long list of fair
ones supposed to be deeply enamored of Errington's good looks,--but this
girl's innocent inquiring face inspired him with quite a different
sentiment.

"_Mais certainement!_" he said frankly and emphatically. "Phil-eep is a
favorite everywhere! Yet not more so with women than with men. I love
him extremely--he is a charming boy! Then you see, _chere Mademoiselle_,
he is rich,-