Ronald used to lie awake at night, and worry over these things till he thought he should go out of his mind. He was madly in love with Carmela, but still he had a certain amount of self-restraint, and determined not to ask her to be his wife until the mystery which environed the death of Verschoyle was cleared up satisfactorily. Therefore he kept away from her, as he dared not trust himself in her presence without giving way and marrying her without taking anything into consideration. And so these two young people were in a singularly unhappy position--both in love, yet both living at cross purposes; Carmela wondering at Ronald's sudden change of demeanour, and Ronald trying to solve the doubts which had arisen in his mind concerning the woman he loved. As to the rest of the "Neptune's" passengers, they were scattered far and wide. Pat Ryan had gone off to look after his Irish estates, which mainly consisted of acres of bog inhabited by evil-minded tenants, who refused to pay the rent, and as Pat was too kind-hearted to evict them, his income was growing beautifully less every day. Kate Lester and her mother had gone down to Hampshire, on a visit to a rich bachelor uncle, who had fallen in love with Kate, and determined to make her his heiress, a proposal not at all distasteful to that pleasure-loving young lady Mrs. Pellypop was down at Marlow with her son-in-law, the Bishop and his meek little wife, and was already exercising over the entire household her despotic rule, until the whole house nearly arose in rebellion. The only one left in London who refused to leave it till Carmela took her departure was Vassalla, for that astute gentleman, seeing there was an estrangement between Carmela and the Australian, determined to turn it to his own advantage, and was always whispering insinuations against Monteith, until, one day, she turned round and asked him what he meant? "You are always talking against Mr. Monteith," she said angrily, with a red spot on each cheek, "but I have never found him other than a very high-minded gentleman--besides," hurriedly, "what is he to me that I should care about him?" "Nothing at all, my cousin," replied Vassalla smoothly, caressing his carefully-trimmed beard; "but I knew you liked him, and would be sorry if he conducted himself badly." "His conduct has nothing to do with me," she retorted, sharply, "how do you mean he is conducting himself badly? "Cherchez la femme," replied Vassalla, with sardonic smile. Carmela's heart almost stood still. She turned very pale; but, with a great effort, managed to preserve her composure. So this was the reason of his coldness to her; he was in love with another woman, and had merely amused himself with her on the voyage. With her, Carmela Cotoner! The thought was madness--and she clenched her hands, while the hot blood flushed her cheeks rose-red. "I don't believe it," she said, hoarsely.