In the meanwhile the young man had taken out his watch, and the girl, leaning over his shoulder, followed the movement of the minute-hand, whilst her lover counted the revolutions of the screw. “One minute,” said she. “Thirty-seven turns,” exclaimed the young man. “Thirty-seven and a half,” observed the Doctor, who had entered into the work. “And a half,” cried the young lady. “You hear, Edward! Thank you, sir,” said she, favouring the worthy Pitferge with one of her most pleasing smiles. CHAPTER XVI. Going back to the grand saloon, I saw the following programme posted on the door:— THIS NIGHT! PART FIRST “Ocean Time” Mr. Mac Alpine. Song: “Beautiful Isle of the Sea” Mr. Ewing. Reading Mr. Affleet. Piano solo: “Chant du Berger” Mrs. Alloway. Scotch Song Doctor T——. (Ten minutes interval.) PART SECOND. Piano solo Mr. Paul V——. Burlesque: “Lady of Lyons” Doctor T——. Entertainment Sir James Anderson. Song: “Happy Moment” Mr. Norville. Song: “You Remember” Mr. Ewing. FINALE. “GOD SAVE THE QUEEN.” As may be seen, it was a complete concert, with a first part, entr’acte, second part, and finale; but it seems there was something wanting in the programme; for I heard some one mutter behind me, “What! no Mendelssohn.” I turned, and saw that it was a steward, who thus protested against the omission of his favourite music. I went on deck, and began to look for Mac Elwin. Corsican had just told me that Fabian had left his cabin, and I wanted, without intruding myself on him, to draw him out of his isolation. I found him at the bows; we talked for some time, but he made no allusion to his past life. At times he was silent and pensive, absorbed in his thoughts, no longer listening to me, and pressing his breast, as if to restrain a painful spasm. Whilst we were walking together, Harry Drake passed us several times, always the same noisy, gesticulating man, obstructive as would be a windmill in a ball-room. Was I mistaken? I could not say; for I had already anticipated it in my mind; but it seemed to me that Harry Drake stared at Fabian with a persistency which the latter must have noticed; for he said to me,— “Who is that man?” “I don’t know,” I replied. “I don’t like his looks,” added Fabian. Put two ships in the open sea, without wind or tide, and, at last, they will come together. Throw two planets into space, and they will fall one on the other. Place two enemies in the midst of a crowd, and they will inevitably meet; it is a fatality, a question of time, that is all.