Margaret read it by the firelight, and her face fell suddenly.
"What is it, dear ?" asked Lady Victoria affectionately, as she noticed her companion's distressed look.
"Nothing--I suppose I ought not to be anxious.

The steamer is delayed, that is all," and she gave the English girl her brother's note.
"Oh, if it had been anything serious he would have sat up for us.

It will probably be in in the afternoon instead of in the morning." But Margaret's eyes were heavy and her gladness was gone from her.
"Do you ever have presentiments ?" she asked, as they separated half an hour later.
"Never," answered Lady Victoria cheerily, "and if I ever do they never come true." "I do," said Margaret, "I have a feeling that I shall never see him again." Poor Countess! She looked very miserable, with her white face and weary eyes.
Early the next morning Lady Victoria told her brother what had been the effect of his note.

He was very angry with himself for not having put it into better shape, and he determined to repair his error by devoting himself entirely to watching for the steamer.

With this object, he went down to the Cunard office and established himself with a novel and a box of cigarettes, to pass the day.