Norma, goaded out of her customary shyness, had pleaded her cousin's marriage. Couldn't they run into Portland--or somewhere?--and let her go down by train? But Caroline had protested most affectionately and noisily against this, and Caroline's mother said sweetly that she couldn't think of letting Norma do that alone--Annie von Behrens would never forgive her! However, she would speak to Captain Burns, and see what could be done. Anyway, Mrs. Craigie had finished, with her comfortable laugh, Norma had only to tell her cousin that she was out with friends on their yacht, and they had been delayed. Surely that was excuse enough for any one? It was with difficulty that Norma had kept the tears out of her eyes. She had not wanted an excuse to stay away from Rose's wedding. Her heart had burned with shame and anger and helplessness. She could hardly believe, crying herself to sleep on Friday night, that two whole days were still to spare before Monday, and that she was helpless to use them. Her mind worked madly, her thoughts rushing to and fro with a desperation worthy an actual prisoner. On Saturday evening, after a day of such homesickness and heavy-heartedness as she had never known before in her life, she had realized that they were in some port, lying a short half mile from shore. It was about ten o'clock, warm and star-lighted; there was no moon. Norma had slipped from the deck, where Caroline was playing bridge, and had gone to the lowered gang-plank. Captain Burns was there, going over what appeared to be invoices, with the head steward. "Captain," Norma had said, her heart pounding, "can't you put me on shore? I must be in New York to-morrow--it's very important! If I get a coat, will you let me go in when you go?" He had measured her with his usual polite, impersonal gaze. "Miss Sheridan, I really could not do it, Miss! If it was a telegram, or something of that sort----But if anything was to happen to you, Miss, it would be--it really would be most unfortunate!" Norma had stood still, choking. And in the starlight he had seen the glitter of tears in her eyes. "Couldn't you put it to Mrs. Craigie, Miss? I'm sure she'd send someone--one of the maids----" But Norma shook her head. It would anger Caroline, and perhaps Caroline's mother, and Annie, too, to have her upset the cruise by her own foolish plans. There was no hope of her hostess's consent. What!--send a girl of eighteen down to New York for dear knows what fanciful purpose, without a hint from parent or guardian? Mrs. Craigie knew the modern girl far too well for that, even if it had not been personally extremely inconvenient to herself to spare a maid. They were rather short of maids, for two or three of them had been quite ill. The launch had put off, with Captain Burns in the stern. Norma had stood watching it, with her heart of lead. Oh, to be running away--flying--on the train--in the familiar streets! They could forgive her later--or never----