Roderic made little of this, for the conviction was now forcing itself upon even his dull masculine mind that such tender scenes might not be in the best taste possible, considering the circumstances. "And thus you see me on deck once more, a little the worse for wear perhaps, but ready to sail with you to-morrow, if you say the word," he ended. "You are happy, Roderic?" "Yes, God has been very, very good to me. I don't deserve it, cousin." "You look forward to meeting Georgia in the island beyond the sea?" "She has already started there, and it would be strange if we did not meet, either before or after San Juan falls into American hands." "Is she--_very_ beautiful, Roderic?" "You shall say for yourself when you see her, for it is my fondest hope that you may be the dearest of friends. You will promise me that, Cleo?" Again she resolutely thrust self aside. "Whom you love must be a sister to me, cousin. Yes, I give you such a promise willingly." The rebellion in her heart was kept down with a firm hand--what was human might struggle and cry out, but it could not overcome the divine element that came from Calvary--the desire to sacrifice self for the good of one beloved. Then they fell to talking of the contemplated ocean voyage and what pleasures it promised to souls that delighted in travel, and for which the ever changing boundless deep had charms that were invisible to the eye of the ordinary tourist. Finally Roderic realized the lateness of the hour, and declared he ought to be ashamed to keep his cousin from her beauty sleep, especially as it was all on account of his own personal business. Possibly Roderic slept but little that night. He had much upon his mind. And yet he was far happier than the girl from Virginia, since there was a bright future to which he could look forward. With her that future was a blank. Many there are fated in this world to love without hope of a reciprocal affection, but few can bear their cross with the gentle happy spirit shown by Cleo. When they met again at an early breakfast, while old Dublin was waking up, no one would suspect from her smiling face and dancing blue eyes that Cleo had ever known a serious sorrow, or that a canker lodged close to her gentle heart. She took the deepest interest in all the contemplated movements of her cousin, and entered into the enthusiasm of his plans as though she had a reason to share in his future happiness. Matters had been so carefully adjusted on the preceding day that little remained to be done save have their portable luggage taken down to the landing stage, and go through with a few forms necessary ere the steam yacht could depart. Though Roderic was not sorry to leave Dublin, under the circumstances, he must always cherish a pleasant recollection for the bright Irish capital. It was here the incubus that had pressed upon his shoulders for well nigh two years had been cast aside, and the sun of hope burst from behind the clouds of despair.