The last, low, yellow gleam died out of the sunset--slowly crept up the twilight, palely, gemmed with stars. A round, red moon showed its crimson disk above the silvery horizon line, whitening as it arose, until it trailed a flood of crystal radiance over the purple bosom of the sleeping sea. And still Mollie sat there, watching the shining stars creep out, and still the fairy bark floated lazily with the drifting current. She could have sat there and watched him forever--her noble, gallant Hugh! But by and by, as the night wind grew chill, the little white boat, glided away and disappeared. The entrance of Mrs. Sharpe, with her night-lamp, aroused Mollie from her trance. She turned eagerly round to greet her. Next to Hugh Ingelow, her hope now was in this mysterious woman. Mrs. Sharpe closed the door carefully after her, set the lamp on the table, dropped the curtain, and then turned her face to Mollie. One look at that face told Mollie something had occurred. "What is it?" she asked in a breathless whisper. And Susan Sharpe, bending down, whispered hurriedly: "Doctor Oleander is here." Mollie barely repressed a cry. Susan Sharpe caught her, in alarm, by the shoulder. "Hush! Are you crazy? Not a word. Yes, he's down-stairs--came half an hour ago. Don't look so frightened--he won't trouble you this time." "This time," repeated Mollie, noticing the emphasis. "What do you mean?" "That he was only run down to see how we get along, and to tell us to be all ready for an early start. We are going to Cuba." "We?" "Yes," with a grim smile and nod, "we. You, and me, and Doctor Oleander." "Oh, nurse--" "Hush! Hear me out--I can stay but a minute. He is going to take you to Cuba. His affairs are nearly arranged. He means to start on Friday night--this is Tuesday. A schooner will be in waiting at the wharf, in the village yonder. I am to go with you as attendant. He is very much pleased with me, and I have consented." Mrs. Sharpe laughed softly. "But, nurse--" "Yes, yes; be still. We won't go--be sure of that. He wanted to come up to see you, but I told him he had better not, if he wanted to have you quiet when the time came. So he goes off again to-night without troubling you." Mollie clasped her hands in thankfulness. "How can I thank you? How good you are!" "Thank me by going straight to bed and sleeping like a top. Let the thought that it is likely to be your last night under this accursed roof be your lullaby. And now I must go." Mollie held up her rosy lips--tempting and sweet--and the woman stooped and kissed her. "You are my best friend," Mollie said, simply. "God bless you!" The woman smiled. "Nay, the kiss and the blessing, if meant for your best friend, should have been kept for Hugh Ingelow. I but obey his orders." Mollie turned radiantly red. Mrs. Susan Sharpe, with a significant smile at her own keenness, immediately quitted the room.