"I'll just say good-bye at the same time," pursued Tom; "for I'm rather in a hurry, thank you." "Why, you're not going away directly!" cried the widow. "Oh, you must stay and entertain me. Elsie has left me quite desolate." "Thank you; it's of no importance; I'm not quite on my sea legs yet," gasped Tom, growing so dizzy that he was possessed of a mad idea he was already on shipboard. "Why, you look quite white and ill," said the widow. "Yes; oh, not any, thank you," cried Tom, stepping on the widow's dress, dancing off it and dealing Elizabeth a blow with his hat. Mrs. Mellen felt herself grow sick at heart; she glanced at Elsie; the girl was laughing gaily, and chatting away with young Hawkins, regardless of Tom's presence. North stood by, looking at her with his deep, earnest eyes, as if searching her character in all its shallow depths. Elizabeth felt bitterly indignant, and exclaimed-- "Elsie, my cousin has come to wish us good-bye, if you can spare him a moment." "So you are really going?" called Elsie. "You oughtn't to run away so. It's so unkind of you." Tom lifted his eyes mournfully to her face. "My lap is so full of flowers," cried Elsie, glancing down at a mass of roses that glowed in the folds of her morning dress, "I can't possibly get up; come and shake hands with me." It was well for Tom that Mrs. Harrington seized his arm, and afforded him a few instants to regain his composure, while she asked all sorts of questions about his journey and its object. "Mary Harrington," said Elsie. "Just let Mr. Fuller come here; you mustn't assault peaceable men in that way." "La, dear, what odd things you do say! I was just talking with Mr. Fuller about his journey." Elsie glanced at North and whispered to his companion, who laughed in a very polite way. Tom knew it was at him, and grew more red and awkward. Elizabeth recognised the silly insult, and darted a look of such indignation towards the offender that the youth was quite subdued, although it had no effect whatever on Elsie. She rose, dropping her flowers over the carpet, put her hand in Mr. North's arm, left Hawkins to follow, and caress his cane in peace, and moved towards the group. "Good-bye, Mr. Fuller," said she, touching his shoulder with the tips of her fingers. "If you bring me a beautiful lava bracelet perhaps I'll forgive you for going away,--and some pink coral,--don't forget." Tom was a sight to behold between confusion, distress, and his superhuman efforts to be calm. "I'll bring you twenty," said he, recklessly. "Oh, that would be overpowering," laughed Elsie. "Good-bye. I'm sure you'll look touching when you are seasick." "He! he!" giggled Hawkins, as well as he could for the cane. Tom turned on him like a tiger. "You'll ruin your digestion if you laugh so much over that tough meal," said he, and for once Tom had the laugh on his side.