Melville saw that she was brooding something essentially feminine, and which had no relationship to the great game of public life, curiosity was extinguished in him.
On deck the Countess paced with Evan, and was for a time pleasantly diverted by the admiration she could, without looking, perceive that her sorrow-subdued graces had aroused in the breast of a susceptible naval lieutenant.

At last she spoke: 'My dear! remember this.

Your last word to Mr.Jocelyn will be: "I will do myself the honour to call upon my benefactor early." To Rose you will say: "Be assured, Miss Jocelyn 'Miss Jocelyn--' I shall not fail in hastening to pay my respects to your family in Hampshire." You will remember to do it, in the exact form I speak it.' Evan laughed: 'What! call him benefactor to his face?
I couldn't do it.' 'Ah! my child!' 'Besides, he isn't a benefactor at all.

His private secretary died, and I stepped in to fill the post, because nobody else was handy.' 'And tell me of her who pushed you forward, Evan ?' 'My dear sister, I'm sure I'm not ungrateful.' 'No; but headstrong: opinionated.

Now these people will endeavour--Oh! I have seen it in a thousand little things--they wish to shake us off.
Now, if you will but do as I indicate! Put your faith in an older head, Evan.