It was Bessie again. He didn't know what had come over the girl. She had been holding off all winter. First one excuse, then another. "I've done all I can think of. Taken a house in Athol Street and furnished it beautifully (thanks to you, old fellow), but it's no use, seemingly." "When did you see her last?" "Yesterday, and I thought I had settled everything at last. She wouldn't be called in church, so I arranged that I was to go down to Derby Haven this morning, as soon as your boat sailed, and we were to come up to the Registrar's to sign for a Bishop's license. And now, by the first post .... this." With a trembling hand Gell took out of his pocket the letter which Bessie had written the night before and handed it to Stowell. With a momentary uneasiness Stowell read the letter. "Reason? What is it likely to be, think you?" "I don't know. I can't say. It's a mystery. I've racked my brains and can only think of one thing now." "And what's that?" "That she finds out at last that she doesn't care enough for me to marry me." "Nonsense, old fellow." "What else can it be? There can be nothing else, can there?" Stowell's uneasiness increased. "What do you intend to do?" "Go down just the same. I've been telegraphing saying I'm coming. That's why I'm late getting down to the boat." "And if she persists?" "Give her up and clear out, I suppose." "You mean leave the island?" "Why shouldn't I? I've only been a stick-in-the-mud here and couldn't do much worse anywhere else, could I? Besides" (his voice was breaking) "there's my father. You remember what he said. I couldn't face it out if the girl threw me over." "She's not well, is she?" "Not very." "Nothing serious?" "No--nothing, the Miss Browns think, that we might not expect after such a change in her life and condition." "Then that's it! Cheer up, old man! It will all come right yet. Women suffer from so many things that we men know nothing about." "If I could only think that...." "You may--of course you may." "Victor," said Gell, taking Stowell's hand, "will you do one thing more for me?" "Certainly--what is it?" "Nobody can read a woman as you can--everybody says that. If Bessie gives me the same answer to-day will you go down to Derby Haven with me when you come back, and find out what's amiss with her?" "Assuredly I will .... that is to say .... if you think...." "Is it a promise?" "Undoubtedly. It shall be the first thing I do when I return to the island." "All ashore! All ashore!" A sailor was shouting on the deck outside the cabin door, and the third bell was ringing. Gell was the last to cross the gangway. "Good-bye and God bless you, and good luck in London! You deserve every bit of it!" At the next moment the gangway was pulled in, the ropes were thrown aboard, and the steamer was gliding away.