“We are not going to have any qualms, mamma. I am determined to be a good sailor, and I will not hear a word about your being sick. Why, what should I do for company without you, and not a friend to speak to on this great ship?” Rupert turned now to look at the speaker, his face luminous with surprise and delight; the moody look all gone from his brow, his fine lips wreathed with smiles. At this movement the young girl glanced up and their eyes met. “Miss Alexander!” cried the young man, going forward with outstretched hand. “Mr. Hamilton!” Virgie stammered, her lovely face suffused with blushes. Their hands met in an eager clasp, and Mrs. Alexander, viewing this unexpected reunion of the youth and maiden from her position a little in the background, and noting how much their looks and actions expressed, knew that she had run directly into the danger she had been trying to escape all summer. But it was too late to mend matters now; fate had ordered it so to be, and she could only submit to the inevitable with as good a grace as possible. “Mamma,” Virgie said, as soon as she could collect herself, “this is Mr. Hamilton, whom we met during the trip to California; Mr. Hamilton, let me introduce you to my mother, Mrs. Alexander.” The lady and gentleman exchanged greetings, and then Rupert insisted upon making himself useful to Mrs. Alexander, who was still something of an invalid, although much better than when we last saw her in May. He unfolded her chair, saw her comfortably seated, and then arranged her wraps and rugs so deftly, and was so kindly attentive to her needs, so gentlemanly and entertaining in conversation, that she was at once disarmed of half her fears and prejudices. “He is really a very charming young man,” she admitted to herself, as she lay back among her robes and watched his expressive face while he talked with Virgie. “I do not wonder that she became interested in him, and, perhaps, after all, if she is to live in England, it might be as well for her to make an English alliance; I hope his family is a good one.” That a great deal of mischief, if it could be regarded as such, had been done during those few weeks of travel in the West was plainly apparent. Rupert showed his happiness over this unexpected meeting in every look and gesture. One could hardly believe him to be the same person, who, half an hour previous, had stood like some stern statue looking back in despair upon the city he was leaving behind; while as for Virgie, her mother scarcely knew her for the drooping, pale-faced damsel that she had been all summer, although she had not been guilty of a single murmur. Mrs. Alexander’s health had improved somewhat, but she was far from strong even yet, and her physician had urgently advised an ocean voyage.