,
she's well enough; but women's most oncommon difficult to understand,
boy; and the only way is to let 'em alone and take no notice when they
seems queer. Now, don't axe me no questions, for I don't know anything
about it, and what I _guess_ I ain't going to tell."

What the old fellow surmised it was quits impossible for me to imagine,
and equally impossible to extract from him, for he was as stubborn as a
mule, and if he made up his mind to a certain course, nothing earthly
had the power of turning him from it; so, with the unpleasant sensation
that there was a mystery somewhere, I was obliged to hold my tongue and
console myself with the reflection that, at all events, it could be
nothing which concerned me personally.

Shortly after the conversation Ella made her appearance at the head of
the companion-ladder, and, bidding us both a cheery "Good-morning,"
summoned me to breakfast.

As soon as the coffee was poured out, and we had fairly commenced the
meal, she said:

"If you ever have any secrets to discuss, Mr Collingwood, I would
advise you to seek some other place than the deck of the _Water Lily_.
You sailors appear to have the habit of talking loudly in the open air,
and I was awakened by your voices this morning, and quite
unintentionally heard much, if not all, of your conversation. I am
sorry that my quiet mood of last night should have given you any
uneasiness, but I hope you will be relieved when I assure you that there
was nothing whatever the matter with me. I am singularly susceptible to
surrounding influences; and the solemn beauty of the night excited
within me a feeling of--not sadness altogether, but of gravity almost
amounting to it, which has now entirely passed away. Your best plan
will be to follow Bob's advice, and take no notice of my varying moods,
for they really have no significance. I have not the least idea what it
is that the worthy fellow suspects as being the matter with me; but,
whatever it is, he is quite mistaken, for I am happy to say I am
perfectly well both in body and mind."

I felt greatly relieved at this explanation, and said so; and Ella, as
though to make up for her silence of the previous night, was rattling
away in a more lively strain than ever, when Bob shouted from the deck,
"Land ho!"

"Where away?" queried I, springing to my feet and leaving my breakfast
unfinished.

"Right ahead, and up among the clouds, by all that's wonderful!"
answered Bob.

I p