In the restaurant on the lower floor, where the waiters spoke German as well as Polish, they found themselves seated near a party who were conversing in English. It consisted of a gentleman and two ladies, one of the latter being but about seventeen years old. They were dressed in black, and the younger was very pretty,--so pretty that De Forrest could not help looking at her, as opportunity favored him. But the young lady seemed as much inclined to look at the runaways, and their eyes often met. The party spoke in a low tone, and were evidently talking about the young officers. Presently the gentleman rose from his chair and approached them. "I beg your pardon," said he; "but I think we have met before." "Indeed! I was not aware of it; though I am very glad to see any one who speaks the English language," replied De Forrest. "You belong to the school ship, if I mistake not. We went on board of her at Christiansand; you had just arrived from America, and we had come in the Orlando from Hull." "Yes, sir; I remember that steamer, and the party that came on board the ship." "My name is Kinnaird." "I am happy to see you, Mr. Kinnaird. My name is De Forrest, and my friend is Mr. Beckwith." "Now permit me to present you to the ladies, who were much interested in your ship, and especially in her young officers," added the polite gentleman, as he conducted them to the table his party had taken. "Mrs. Kinnaird, my wife." De Forrest and Beckwith made their best bows. "Miss Julia Gurney, my wife's sister," added Mr. Kinnaird. "I am delighted to make your acquaintance, Miss Gurney," answered De Forrest, as he bowed to the pretty young lady. "I was so pleased with the ship in which you sail, and the nice-looking young officers, that I have been wishing I might meet them again," said Miss Gurney. For half an hour they talked about the ship and the other vessels, and each party told where they had been. "And you are one of those fine young officers," said the young lady, suddenly, laughing her satisfaction as she spoke. "I am," replied De Forrest, though he had some doubts on this point. "And where is your ship now?" "At Cronstadt. The squadron will go to Königsberg or Danzig next; then to Stettin or Swinemünde. The students will make a trip to Berlin and Dresden." "O, then I shall see them again," exclaimed Miss Gurney. "But don't you sail with the others?" "Yes, yes; but you see we make journeys on shore. We all went to Moscow, and some of us down the Volga to Kazan." "How delightful! I wish I was a boy! If I were I would be a sailor, and join your ship. It must be elegant?" "O yes--yes; very," replied De Forrest, glancing at his shipmate, who could hardly keep from laughing. "I think I should like it so well, that I wouldn't go on shore. It is so stupid to be dragged through all these old palaces, and churches, and tombs, though I like to look at the pictures."