“Yes, it does,” she said; “try your best to put that ring together as you found it.” It was quite evident that Mrs. Tremain had all the superstition of Mexico. Glendenning fumbled with the ring one way and another, and finally said, “I cannot put it together.” “Let me try,” said young Howard. “No, no, that will do no good.” Saying which Mrs. Tremain snatched the links from Glendenning, slipped them into one ring again, put it on her finger, and dashed quickly up the stairs without saying a word of good night to any of us. Glendenning was about to proceed up the stair after her, when young Howard very ostentatiously placed himself directly in his path. Glendenning seemed to hesitate for a moment, then thought better of it, turned on his heel and walked down the passage towards the saloon. “Look here, Howard,” I said, “you are going to get yourself into trouble. There’s sure to be a fuss on board this steamer before we reach Liverpool.” “I wouldn’t be at all surprised,” answered young Howard. “Well, do you think it will be quite fair to Mrs. Tremain?” “Oh, I shan’t bring her name into the matter.” “The trouble will be to keep her name out. It may not be in your power to do that. A person who interferes in other people’s affairs must do so with tact and caution.” Young Howard looked up at me with a trace of resentment in his face. “Aren’t you interfering now?” he said. “You are quite right, I am. Good night.” And I went up the stairway. Howard shouted after me, but I did not see him again that night. Next day we were nearing Queenstown, and, as I had letters to write, I saw nothing of young Howard till the evening. I found him unreasonably contrite for what he had said to me the night before; and when I told him he had merely spoken the truth, and was quite justified in doing so, he seemed more miserable than ever. “Come,” he said, “let us have a walk on the deck.” It was between nine and ten o’clock; and when we got out on the deck, I said to him, “Without wishing to interfere any further—” “Now, don’t say that,” he cried; “it is cruel.” “Well, I merely wanted to know where your two charges are.” “I don’t know,” he answered, in a husky whisper; “they are not in the usual corner to-night, and I don’t know where they are.” “She is probably with her husband,” I suggested. “No, he is down in the saloon reading.”