Mrs. Calvert (Belle’s chaperon) was a slight, refined, rather worn-looking woman, who had left four young children at home, and was following her husband’s fortunes, whilst her sister, Miss Gay, accompanied her--possibly in quest of her own. She was plain, but so neat and smart that she was almost pretty; clever, bright, and amiable--and both sisters were unmistakably ladies in every sense of the word. These two, and another, shared Belle’s cabin. It was not as if _she_ shared theirs, for the whole of that restricted apartment was pervaded by her belongings, from gloves and shoes to “Mossoo’s” coat, collar and bones. In such narrow quarters, one is not long in discovering the true character of one’s fellow-passenger; there is no better opportunity for mutual insight, and many a lasting feud or friendship has been born in a four-berthed cabin! Belle began well: she was affectionate to Mrs. Calvert and her sister (and agreeable to Miss Cox--who made up the quartette), insisting on Miss Gay calling her by her Christian name, and effusive with offers of scent, face lotions, and various loans of small articles, eager to do every one’s hair, eager to alter people’s hats--in fact most anxious to ingratiate herself--and she succeeded. She kissed Mrs. Calvert--in spite of that lady--and wound her arm round Miss Gay’s waist or leant upon her as they paced the deck in the twilight. But by and by, capricious Belle found “other fish to fry.” Her head was a little turned by her unusual social success; she became less demonstrative in her affection, and alas! alas! her temper began to be seen! One day it appeared in great force in the cabin, as they were dressing for dinner, all somewhat hot and hurried. “Did you see that horrid Mr. Noakes throwing ‘Mossoo’ out of his chair,” she said, “as if the poor dog was doing any harm? Mr. Noakes is a detestable cad! A regular ‘’Arry.’” “He is a friend of mine,” said Miss Cox stiffly, “and I beg you not to call him names.” “Stuff,” exclaimed Belle, with the light of battle on her face, “I can’t help your having cads for friends, this is a free ship! I shall say what I please, I shall say _more_--birds of a feather flock together.”