"Do look at her, Mr. Redfield," said the good woman, "did you ever see her looking so bright and healthy, sir? The master was right, sure enough--it was a sea-voyage she needed, above all things. Her cheeks are like pinies, and, if I do say it, who shouldn't, it's the opinion of the company that you're the best-lookin' couple on the decks. I've heard more'n one speak of it this past half-hour." "That's half true, anyhow," I answered, laughing, and looking at Lenore, whose modest, quiet mind was never on the alert for compliments. She laughed because I did, but remained just as unconscious of her pretty looks as hitherto. "There's papa coming," she said; "something has happened to him." With her marvelous quick discernment, so like her father's, she perceived, before I did, that he was excited, although endeavoring to appear more calm than he really felt. "Well, Richard, Lenore," he began, drawing us a little apart from the others, speaking in a low voice, "what do you say to my leaving you?" "Leaving us!" we both very naturally exclaimed. "It would be rather sudden, that is true." "Where would you go? Walk off on the water, or betake yourself to the valleys and mountains of Mexico?" "There's no jest about it, Richard. Information, which has come to me in the strangest, most unexpected manner, renders it imperative that I should stop at Acapulco. I am as much surprised as you are. I have not even time to tell you the story; in twenty minutes the ship will begin to send off her passengers in a small-boat; and if I decide to remain here, I must go to my state-room for some of my clothes." "Are you in earnest, father?" asked Lenore, ready to cry. "Yes, my darling. I am afraid I must let you go on to San Francisco without me; but you will have Marie, and Richard will take as good care of you as I would. I want you to enjoy yourselves, to have no cares, to take the second return steamer, which will give you a fortnight in San Francisco, and _I will meet you at the isthmus_. As you will have nothing to do, after your arrival, I will advise you to explore the country, ride out every pleasant day, etc. The time will soon pass, and in five weeks, God willing, we shall meet and be happy, my dear little girl. Run, run to Marie, and tell her what I am to do; she will come and get my orders." Lenore moved away, rather reluctantly, and Mr. Burton continued to myself, who was standing silent from mere stupidity of astonishment: