No matter, Nancy Mannering assured her. It would be hours before the ship had disgorged her double complement of passengers, to say nothing of the luggage. She was to lie still, recover slowly, go on shore quietly later on when the fuss and racket were over. The captain had sent a special message to assure her of his consideration and help. Two other women were prostrate like herself. They also were to wait. Katrine settled down again into a fitful sleep, through which the tramp of feet, the clamour of voices, the banging of luggage, beat confusedly upon her brain. From time to time Mrs Mannering crept in to look at her, and stole out unnoticed; it was not until late in the afternoon, when quiet reigned on the deck overhead, that she met opened eyes and a smile of welcome. "I'm dreadfully lazy! I'm afraid it's ever so late, but I can dress quickly now for my head is better. Is--?" She stopped short, flushing, but Mrs Mannering was intentionally obtuse. "Yes, all right! The poor old ship kept up to the end. They are getting out the baggage. Pray heaven it is _dry_! in any case we'll be thankful for what we can get. It looked as if we might not have a rag to our backs. That good soul Anderson is looking after our part of the spoil; Captain Bedford would have done it, but it was all he could do to get through himself. Had to rush off to take up a company by the first train. They've been kept waiting for him by this upset. However, our rooms are booked at the hotel, and we can lie low for a few days till we get our breath." Katrine stared blankly. She had shrunk from the thought of meeting Bedford, yet it came as a shock to hear that he had gone on and left her behind. They had _all_ gone on,--the passengers among whom she had lived so closely during those last weeks; but for Nancy Mannering she was alone in the strange new world. It was a lonesome feeling. She sat on the side of her bunk, smiling a difficult smile. "Oh! Yes. That will be nice. And my friends have arranged for my journey. The agent will call--" "Be hanged to agents! I've sworn by all my gods to stick to you till I see you safely landed with your friends. It's only a few score miles out of my way, and that counts for nothing in this country. The good Bedford will see me housed when we arrive." "Scores of miles out of your way! For _me_? Mrs Mannering, it is too much! I can't let you do it. You are the kindest, most unselfish of creatures." Mrs Mannering grimaced. "Don't be too sure!" she said dryly. "Curiosity poses under many forms. I've a weakness for being on in the last act. Well! dress yourself, and come along, and be sure to speak prettily to the captain before you leave. He's behaved like a brick. There's tea in the saloon."