Lionel stood by me, and then commenced--"We arrived at Dover the evening of the day that we left, Miss Valerie; and Lady R--, who had been in a state of great agitation during the journey, was so unwell, that she remained there four or five days. As soon as she was better, I thought it was advisable that she should settle my book, and pay me my wages before we left England, and I brought it to her, stating my wish, as the sum was then very large. "`And what do you want money for?' said she, rather angrily. "`I want to place it in safety, my lady,' replied I. "`That's as much as to say that it is not safe with me.' "`No, my lady,' replied I. `But suppose any accident were to happen to you abroad, would your executors ever believe that you owed more than 25 pounds, besides a year's wages to a page like me; they would say that it could not be, and would not pay me my money; neither would they believe that you gave me such wages.' "`Well,' she replied, `there is some truth in that, and it will, perhaps, be better that I do pay you at once, but where will you put the money, Lionel?' "`I will keep the check, my lady, if you please.' "`Then I will write it to order and not to bearer,' replied she, `and then if you lose it, it will not be paid, for it will require your own signature.' "`Thank you, my lady,' replied I. "Having examined my accounts and my wages due, she gave me a check for the full amount. The next morning, the packet was to sail at nine o'clock. We were in good time, and as soon as Lady R--was on board she went down into the cabin. Her maid asked me for the bottle of salts which I had purposely left under the sofa pillow at the Ship Hotel. I told her that I had left it, and as there was plenty of time would run and fetch it. I did so, but contrived not to be back until the steamer had moved away from the pier, and her paddles were in motion. I called out `Stop, stop,' knowing of course that they would not, although they were not twenty yards away. I saw Lady R--'s maid run to the captain and speak to him, but it was of no use, and thus I was left behind, without Lady R--having any suspicion that it was intentional on my part.