Sedgwick had insured the cargo; had paid the owner in advance the freight, and McGregor estimated that, if prosperous, he could, running slow to save coal, and stopping a week or ten days in Australia for coal and fresh supplies, make Port Natal in eighty days. In the meantime Sedgwick and his wife had made the acquaintance of an English gentleman and his wife, named Forbes, who a few days previous had started for England, but who had promised to visit some English friends in Indianapolis, Indiana, until Sedgwick and Grace should overtake them, that they might sail on the same ship from New York. The day after the "Pallas" sailed, Sedgwick and his bride took the overland train for the East. CHAPTER XXII. A LOST TRAIL DISCOVERED. They reached Indianapolis in due time; stopped at a hotel, and Sedgwick had no difficulty in finding the Forbeses. He was presented to their friends, the Brunswicks, and Mrs. Brunswick insisted that Sedgwick should go straight to the hotel and bring his wife to her house. He thanked the old lady warmly, but begged to be excused, saying they could visit without that. "Very well," said the old lady, "but I will certainly have my way in another thing. You must go right off and tell your wife that an old English woman up the street says she must waive ceremony and come right here for dinner." This was agreed to, and Sedgwick proceeded to do the errand. The Sedgwicks were shown into the drawing-room of the Brunswicks, and had been for a few minutes conversing when the door opened and a lady entered. A glance was enough to show that she was exceedingly beautiful. She was perhaps twenty-six or twenty-seven years of age, not too tall, rounded into full maturity, with a most strong but winsome face. Her eyes were blue, her hair a golden brown and glossy, and when she spoke, her teeth were revealed, perfect and white. She was presented to the strangers as Mrs. Hazleton. Dinner was shortly after announced, and after dinner, when the gentlemen had returned to the drawing-room, Mrs. Brunswick asked Mrs. Hazleton to sing. She did not say "Mrs. Hazleton," but just "Margaret." Without making any excuses she went to the piano and asked Mrs. Brunswick if she desired any particular piece. She answered: "No, my dear, sing anything you feel like singing; only have it old-fashioned and sweet, rather than scientific." Strangely enough, she struck a few wailing chords on the instrument, and then with a pathos and tenderness most touching, sang the old song beginning: "Could you come back to me, Douglas." The effect was great on all the company, but to Sedgwick and his bride it was intensely thrilling. The eyes of Grace filled with tears, and Sedgwick, who was near, unobserved by the rest, took and pressed her hand. The company separated early, with an agreement for the ensuing day, which was to fill it with rides, luncheon, a matinee for the ladies, and dinner afterward.