Some said that Mr.Van Torp was concerned in the affair of that Chinese loan, which of course explained why he was forced to go to Europe in spite of the dreadful misfortune that had happened to him.

The man who knew everything hinted darkly that Mr.
Van Torp was not really solvent, and that he had perhaps left the country just at the right moment.
'That is nonsense,' said Miss More to Margaret in an undertone, for they had both heard what had just been said.
Miss More was the lady in charge of the pretty deaf child, and the latter was curled up in the next chair with a little piece of crochet work.

Margaret had soon found out that Miss More was a very nice woman, after her own taste, who was given neither to flattery nor to prying, the two faults from which celebrities are generally made to suffer most by fellow-travellers who make their acquaintance.

Miss More was evidently delighted to find herself placed on deck next to the famous singer, and Margaret was so well satisfied that the deck steward had already received a preliminary tip, with instructions to keep the chairs together during the voyage.
'Yes,' said Margaret, in answer to Miss More's remark.

'I don't believe there is the least reason for thinking that Mr.Van Torp is not immensely rich.