She darted an uneasy look at her brother, and another at Helen, which was returned by one full of indifference, almost defiance, as if resenting the little lady's way, and Mrs Bolter turned to Grey Stuart. "Where is my husband, my dear?" she said. "I declare this ship is so big that people are all getting lost! Oh! here he comes! Now there-- just as if there were no sailors to do it--he must be carrying pails of water!" For the little doctor came panting along with a bucket of water in each hand, the Resident walking by his side till the two vessels were plumped down in front of Helen's chair. "Now, my dear Harry, what are you doing?" began the little lady, in tones of remonstrance. "All right, my dear. Two pails full of freshly-dipped sea water. Now, ladies and gentlemen, if you will close round, I will show you some of the marvels of creation." As quite a little crowd began to collect, many being ladies, at whom the little doctor's wife--only a few days back elderly Miss Rosebury-- directed very sharp, searching glances, especially when they spoke to her husband, Helen rose with a look of annoyance from her chair and began to walk forward. She was hesitating about going farther alone, when a low voice by her ear said, softly: "Thank you, Miss Perowne. Suppose you take my arm? We will walk forward into the bows." "Mr Harley!" said the lady, drawing back, with her eyes full of indignation. "I think I was to show you the beauty of the sunset," he said. "We can see it so much better from the bows, and," he added, meaningly, "I shall have so much better an opportunity to say that which I wish to say." "What you wish to say, Mr Harley?" "Yes," he replied, taking her hand, drawing it quickly through his arm, and leading her down the steps. "I wish to return, Mr Harley," she said, imperiously. "You shall return, my dear young lady, when I have said that which I wish to say." "What can you wish to say to me?" she said, haughtily. "That which your eyes have been asking me if I could say, ever since we met a fortnight ago, Helen, and that which I have determined to say while there is time." Helen Perowne shrank away, but there was a power of will in her companion that seemed to subdue her, and in spite of herself she was led to the forward part of the vessel, just as the sun had dipped below the horizon; the heavens were lit up like the sea with a gorgeous blaze of orange, purple, green, and gold; and little Mrs Doctor Bolter exclaimed: "That wicked, coquettish girl away again! Grey Stuart, my dear, where has your schoolfellow gone?" VOLUME ONE, CHAPTER FOURTEEN. A TROUBLESOME CHARGE. Neil Harley, in spite of his strong power of will, had said but very few words to Helen Perowne before little Mrs Doctor Bolter bustled up. "Oh, Mr Harley!" she exclaimed, "you have carried off my charge." "Yes," he replied, smiling pleasantly; "we came forward to have a good view of the sunset."