Clara Vance had her faults, but nobody could deny that, in this crisis, she acted with feeling and tact.

She ignored mademoiselle and her lover, whose bliss was in evidence on deck all day, and took possession of Mrs.Waldeaux, caring for her as tenderly as if she had been some poor wretch sentenced to death.

"She has no intellect left except her ideas about George," she told herself, "and if he turns his back on her for life in this way---- She never was too sane!" shaking her head ominously.
She thought it best to talk frankly of the matter to little Lucy Dunbar, and was relieved to find her ready to joke and laugh at it.
"No bruise in that tender heart!" thought Clara, who was anxious as a mother for her girls.
"We all worshipped Mr.George," said Lucy saucily.

"I, most of all.
He is so cold, so exalted and ah--h, so good-looking! Like a Greek god.

But he never gave a look to poor little me! The fraulein came on deck as soon as we all went down with sea-sickness, and bewitched him with her eyes.