It was at these times that Mrs Hallam and Julia stole away from the other groups, to be followed at a distance by Bayle, who stood and watched them as they gazed at the setting sun. For it seemed to mother and daughter like a sign, a foretaste of the glory of the land to which they were going, and in the solemnity and silence of the mighty deep, evening by evening they stood and watched, their privacy respected by all on board, till lamps began to swing here and there beneath the awning, and generally Lieutenant Eaton came to ask Mrs Hallam to play or Julia to sing. "Bayle," Sir Gordon would say, with the repetition of an elderly and querulous man, "you always seem to me like a watch-dog on the look-out for intruders." "I am," said Bayle laconically. "Then why, sir, confound you! when the intruders do come, don't you seize 'em, and shake 'em, and throw 'em overboard?" "I'm afraid I should do something of the kind," replied Bayle, "only I must have cause." "Cause? Well, haven't you cause enough, man?" "Surely no. Everybody on board, from the captain to the humblest seaman, has a respectful smile for them as he raises his cap." "Of course he has," cried Sir Gordon testily. "Then why should the watch-dog interfere?" "Why? Isn't that soldier fellow always making advances, and carrying them off to the piano of an evening?" "Yes; and it seems, now the first trouble has worn off, to give them both pleasure. Surely they have had their share of pain!" "Yes, yes," cried Sir Gordon; "but I don't like it; I don't like it, Bayle." "I have felt the same, but we must not be selfish. Besides, we agreed that they ought to associate with the passengers during the voyage." Sir Gordon's face grew full of puckers, as he drew out and lit a cheroot, which he smoked in silence, while Bayle went to the side and gazed at the black water, spangled with the reflected stars that burned above in the vast bejewelled arch of heaven. "I don't like it," muttered Sir Gordon to himself, "and I don't understand Bayle. No," he continued after a pause, "I cannot ask him that. Time settles all these matters, and it will settle this." From where he sat he could, by turning his head, gaze beneath the awning looped up like some great marquee. Here, by the light of the shaded lamps, the passengers and officers gathered night after night as they sailed on through the tropics. At times there would be a dance, more often the little tables would be occupied by players at some game, while first one lady and then another would take her place at the piano.