They knew that in spite of the olive branch now held out by Jessica, at heart Jessica’s dislike of them both had become, if anything, intensified since the affair at the ball, and that her hatred of Cora too had increased. Though not addicted to crediting gossip, so many little remarks of Jessica’s concerning themselves had been repeated to them by different people that they could not turn an entirely deaf ear. All sorts of well-known people were on Jessica’s houseboat. Some Yootha had met, and to many of the remainder she and Preston were introduced. Indeed so friendly did everybody appear to be that presently she began to feel quite happy and at home--the reverse of what she and Preston had anticipated. And of all aboard, none made himself more agreeable to Yootha and to Captain Preston than Archie La Planta. If anything, he rather overdid it, for he took the trouble to present several people whom they found extremely boring. They had been aboard perhaps half an hour, when Yootha suddenly heard her name spoken, and, turning, found herself face to face with a dark, very intelligent-looking man approaching middle age. “Let me introduce Doctor Johnson,” Stapleton said. “Johnson--Miss Hagerston.” The doctor looked at her keenly, smiling as he raised his hat. “Our common friend, Captain Preston, has several times mentioned your name,” he said. “Is he with you to-day?” “Why, yes,” Yootha answered. “He was here a minute ago. Have you only just come aboard?” “No, I have been here the whole afternoon, but for the last hour I have been what I suppose is called ‘’tween decks,’ settling the nation’s affairs with some of my cronies whom I don’t often have an opportunity of meeting,” and he smiled. “Stapleton tells me, Miss Hagerston, that you and Preston are engaged. May I be allowed to offer my congratulations? I should like to congratulate you both very sincerely.” Yootha colored as she looked over his shoulder. “Thank you so much,” she said. “I feel as if we had met before; Charlie has told me so much about you.” “Well, though I have known him quite a short time, you will forgive my saying that I like him immensely. Yet, but for the unfortunate affair of that man’s death the other night, I suppose I should not have had the pleasure of meeting him, or possibly you. Ah, here he comes.” For five minutes or more the three remained in conversation, though their talk was mostly commonplace. There were subjects all three would have liked to broach, but to have done so amid that _entourage_ would have been impolitic. “Yootha and I are dining _tête-à-tête_ on my houseboat,” Preston said after a while. “If you are not engaged, couldn’t you join us--if you will take potluck? Do say you will, Johnson.” Johnson reflected for some moments. “I should like to very much,” he said at last. “It is most kind of you.” “Capital! Then that is arranged.”