“No, thank Heaven!” exclaimed the man-hater, fervently; and then, with a softened manner, she added: “But about your lover, my darling, since you are afflicted with such a nuisance—tell me, before we part.” “Yes, I wished to do so. I have no secrets from you, dear Britomarte. Well, then—we—we are engaged,” murmured Erminie, with hesitation and blushes. “You and—Colonel Eastworth,” muttered Britomarte, slowly and in dismay. “Erminie, darling, it is customary to congratulate a friend on these occasions; but I—I cannot do it.” “Oh, Britomarte! you will surely wish me joy!” “With all my heart and soul, I pray you may have lifelong happiness, my dearest one!” said Miss Conyers, with a quivering voice. “My dears, my dears, are you ready to go on shore?” called Dr. Rosenthal from the head of the cabin stairs. “Yes, papa dear!—Oh, dear Britomarte, think again! come home with me!” pleaded Erminie. “No, my darling! We must part here. Give me your parting kiss in this cabin, not on deck before all the men,” said Miss Conyers. Erminie threw herself into the arms of Britomarte, and clung long and wildly to her bosom, until a second and a third summons from Dr. Rosenthal compelled her to let go her hold. Then the two friends went up the stairs together. The three gentlemen were waiting to escort them on shore. Dr. Rosenthal placed his daughter in the carriage that was waiting for her; but when he would have led Britomarte to the same place, she courteously thanked him, and said that her way lay in another direction, and that she would go on foot. Justin came forward and said: “You will let me see you safe to the place where you are going?” “No, thank you,” she replied. Justin argued, pleaded, insisted, but all to no purpose. And at last she said: “Mr. Rosenthal, since you compel me to say it, your attendance would be an intrusion.” “Then I have nothing more to urge, Miss Conyers. We will meet again.” “‘At Philippi,’ ghost of Cæsar? Good-by, Mr. Rosenthal,” laughed Britomarte, waving her hand. Justin bowed and left her, to enter the carriage where his party were waiting. And Britomarte watched the carriage drive off and roll out of sight, and then she drew her black veil before her face, and walked on her way alone. CHAPTER VII. BRITOMARTE EMBARKS. Britomarte possessed a few jewels of value. These she had never worn or shown. She now took them to a jeweler on Pennsylvania avenue, and sold them for enough to defray her expenses to the city from whose port the missionary company was to sail. On arriving at that city, she found a cheap boarding-house, and then sought out the secretary of the Board of Foreign Missions, and offered her services to go as teacher with the company they were about to send to Farther India. The secretary required testimonials, which Britomarte immediately submitted. And then, after a little business and investigation, her services were accepted.