In the hall he met Florry, who had been lying in wait for him for over an hour.

She threw herself on his neck as she had done before; but she found her father full of energy, and he was not even willing to use his minutes to caress her.
"What is the matter, papa ?" asked the fair girl, astonished at the manner of her father, for she had never before seen him so agitated.
"Do not ask me any questions, Florry, for I have not time to answer them now," said he hastily.

"Go to your room and pack all your things as quick as you possibly can, and without saying a word to any one." "Why, papa!" "Not a word, my dear child," he added, kissing her.
"It will not take me five minutes, papa; for I have been packing my trunk this afternoon, when I had nothing else to do." "Where is your room, Florry ?" "It is on the lower floor, next to the library." "I will be there in a few minutes.

Dress yourself, and be ready to leave at a minute's notice," continued Captain Passford.

"Where is Christy ?" "He went out about an hour ago, when he saw from the window a young man I did not know," replied Florry, as she passed into her room.
Captain Passford wondered who the young man was whom his son had gone out to meet; for no one was allowed to leave the deck of the Bellevite who belonged to her, and he was not aware that Christy had any friend in the vicinity.