After their dusty, smoky, cindery ride of ten hours our party had barely time to find their hotel, cleanse and refresh themselves with warm baths and changes of raiment and get their breakfasts comfortably, before the hour of embarkation arrived. For they were required to be on board their steamer at ten o'clock, as she was announced to sail at twelve, meridian. At ten, therefore, the carriages that had been ordered for the purpose of conveying them to the pier were announced. Lower and lower sank the heart of the widowed father as the moment approached that was to separate him from his only child. There were times when he so dreaded that moment as to wish for death instead. There were times when he felt that the wrench which should finally tear his daughter from him must certainly prove his death-blow. Yet, for her sake, he bore himself with composure and dignity. He would not let her see the anguish that was oppressing his heart. He entered the carriage with her and drove to the pier. He drew her arm within his own, keeping her hand pressed against his aching heart, and so he led her up the gang-plank on board the steamer, Lord Vincent and their retinue following. He would not trust himself to utter any serious words; but he led her to find her stateroom, that he might see for himself she would be comfortable on her voyage, and that he might carry away with him a picture of her and her surroundings in his memory. And then he brought her up on deck and found a pleasant seat for her, and sat down beside her, keeping her arm within his and her hand pressed as a balm to his covered bleeding heart. There he sat, speaking but little, while active preparations were made for sailing. It looked to him like preparations for an execution. Lord Vincent walked up and down the deck, occasionally stopping to exchange a word with Claudia, or the judge. At length the signal-bell rang out, every peal striking like a death-toll on the heart of the old man. And the order was shouted forth: "All hands ashore!" The moment of life and death had come. He started up; he strained his daughter to his breast. He gasped: "God bless you, my dear! Write as soon as you land!" He wrung the hand of Lord Vincent. "Be good to--" He choked, and hurried from the steamer.