Olive shivered at this exclamation, as she alternated--like all girls of a delicate and nervous organization--between high spirits at the prospect of going eastward and the awful dread of what tidings might await her there. 'Going to the East--actually to Egypt! Darling papa, how shall we ever be able to thank you?' exclaimed Eveline, as in her energy she locked her slender fingers so tightly together that the great diamond in one of her rings--a gift of Sir Paget--was cutting into her delicate skin, and yet she felt it not. And great was the disgust of Sir Harry Hurdell, when eventually he heard of this sudden disposition to travel, the precise object of which he failed quite to understand. Apart from anxiety about her brother, Eveline had another thought, and she kept repeating to herself, 'I shall see the land where Evan died--the land that holds his grave! It is a pilgrimage of love--but one that is without deceit to him.' 'Him,' meant Sir Paget, or 'Old Pudd,' as Sir Harry called him. Allan might die ere they arrived, or after they did so. In either case, the famous will of Olive's father would be as only so much waste paper, so far as the Aberfeldie family was concerned; but at this time of trial no one thought of that feature in the terrible contingency. Their whole idea was to see him; to be with him; to know the best or worst; to nurse him well, and to bring him home with them to the soft breezes of the Sidlaw Hills, and his native place, Dundargue. So Tappleton and Mademoiselle Clairette received their orders; packing was proceeded with; the Continental Bradshaw consulted, and all arrangements made for a speedy departure for Egypt, _viâ_ Paris; by rail then to Marseilles; thence by steamer, Messageries Imperiales Company, to Alexandria, when the train could be taken for Suez. The night before their departure Olive was so excited that she could not go to bed, but sat listening to the booming of the waves as they rolled on the stormy bluffs of Southsea Castle, while all the past returned upon her, and when she had last seen the face of Allan. As she was heard moving about in her room, Clairette was sent to inquire for her. 'I have a dreadful head-ache,' said Olive. 'Mon Dieu, mademoiselle, why are you not in bed, instead of shivering there in your night-dress, at an open window, too! This will never do; let me coil up your hair and cover you up.' 'Dear little Clairette, I shall be good and go to bed--yes, to bed.' Clairette, who knew all about it, kissed her lady's hand; but Olive pressed her lips to the cheek of the French girl, who, in the impulsiveness of her nature, burst into tears, and then, instead of leaving her mistress to repose, had a long gossip with her about Allan, for whose safety she said she gave up a prayer every night. Appliances for travel are so great and ample now that a few hours after soon saw the whole party on board the Marseilles steamer, and traversing the Mediterranean.