"Oh!" said Korah, very dryly, "then it was jealousy, and not pure Christianity, which urged you to save her?" "Call it what you like, Brand. I loved her, and I told her of my love. I asked her to be my wife. I promised to take her back to the islands, that we might work together in the vineyard. She refused." "She was right to refuse. How dare you mingle sacred and profane love?" "I am but a man," replied Johnson, sullenly, "and as a man I feel: what harm was there in telling her that I wished to make her my wife? I am a minister, a follower of Christ. Is it not better that she should marry me, rather than Finland, the infidel?" "You knew that I was about to take her back, brother; you might also have guessed that Buli had other views for her future. He has. This girl shall marry neither you nor Finland. But all you say in no way explains her disappearance." "I think it does, Brand. I told her that she must never see this sailor again; and I believe that she has gone that she may free herself from the prohibition." "Do you think that she has gone away with Finland?" "If she went with him, they are not together now. Early this morning I saw him in the High Street, but I was not able to speak to him. It struck me that Bithiah might have sought out Shackel." "Shackel! Who is he?" "Jacob Shackel," explained the minister, "the captain of the boat we came home in. He is a godless, rum-drinking creature, but Tera--I mean Bithiah--was drawn to him, and she promised to visit him in London." "Where does he live, brother?" "Somewhere near the docks, I believe. He gave Bithiah his address. Oh, I am sure she has gone to him, so that he may take her back to Koiau on his next voyage." "Is he in London now?" "Yes. Bithiah received a letter from him only last week. He will help her to go away, as he has no love for us, Brother Korah." "A mocker!" said Brand, sadly. "Bithiah cannot go away. She has no money." "She has the pearls; and they are worth three thousand pounds at least." "How do you know that she took them?" "I am certain she took them," said Johnson, emphatically, "although I have only circumstantial evidence to go on. Bithiah was the only person who knew that they were locked in this drawer. Unfortunately, I left my keys behind me when I went out visiting yesterday; so it was easy for her to take them away." Korah frowned, and combed his beard with his fingers. "So far as I can judge from your story," said he, rebukingly, "this maiden has departed to avoid your love." "Say rather because I wished to keep her from Finland." "Well, I will see Finland, brother. If he knows where Bithiah is, she shall be brought back--but not to you. I myself will take her to Koiau and deliver her to her father." "You take no account of my feelings," said Johnson, bitterly.