"It will not be so long," said the captain, in a kind of apologizing way; "she will soon get over it, and you will not have any trouble with her." "I hope so," returned the lady, rather shortly; and then, as the captain was making his parting bow, she added, in no very pleased tone of voice — "Pray, Captain Montgomery, is this young lady to travel without a bonnet?" "Without a bonnet! — no," said the captain. "How is this? hasn't she a bonnet? I beg a thousand pardons, Ma’am — I'll bring it on the instant." After a little delay, the bonnet was found, but the captain overlooked the gloves in his hurry. "I am very sorry you have been delayed, Ma’am," said he. "I hope we may be able to reach the boat yet," replied the lady. "Drive on as fast as you can!" A very polite bow from Captain Montgomery — a very slight one from the lady — and off they drove. "Proud enough," thought the captain, as he went up the stairs again. "I reckon she don't thank me for her travelling companion. But Ellen's off — that's one good thing — and now I'll go and engage berths in the England." CHAPTER VII. "Strangers walk as friends." The long drive to the boat was only a sorrowful blank to Ellen's recollection. She did not see the frowns that passed between her companions on her account. She did not know that her white bonnet was such a matter of merriment to Margaret Dunscombe and the maid, that they could hardly contain themselves. She did not find out that Miss Margaret's fingers were busy with her paper of sweets, which only a good string and a sound knot kept her from rifling. Yet she felt very well that nobody there cared in the least for her sorrow. It mattered nothing; she wept on in her loneliness, and knew nothing that happened, till the carriage stopped on the wharf; even then she did not raise her head. Mrs. Dunscombe got out, and saw her daughter and servant do the same; then after giving some orders about the baggage, she returned to Ellen. "Will you get out, Miss Montgomery, or would you prefer to remain in the carriage? We must go on board directly." There was something, not in the words, but in the tone, that struck Ellen's heart with an entirely new feeling. Her tears stopped instantly, and, wiping away quick the traces of them as well as she could, she got out of the carriage without a word, aided by Mrs. Dunscombe's hand. The party was presently joined by a fine-looking man, whom Ellen recognised as Captain Dunscombe. "Dunscombe, do put these girls on board, will you? and then come back to me; I want to speak to you. Timmins, you may go along and look after them."