You'll have to put his rooms ready, may dear, and laight a fayer by 'm by, for he's sure to be here to-night.

You'll look after him, won't you ?" "Yes, uncle, I'll do my best, whatever.

I had better go and get his sheets aired at once." And she left the room, glad to hide her pale face and trembling hands from her uncle.
Once outside the bedroom door, she crossed her hands on her bosom, as though to stop the tumultuous beating of her heart.

What was going to happen?
Should she hear Cardo's name from Captain Owen?
Could she find her way to the docks?
and as a gleam of sunlight shone in through the little window in the linen cupboard, she thought what a bright and happy place Fordsea was after all.
She hurried through her domestic preparations, and then, after a consultation with her uncle, made an expedition into the market, ordering supplies for the following days.

When she returned, the front door was open, and, entering the passage, she heard loud voices in her uncle's room, and gently pushing the door open, saw a rough-bearded, blue-eyed man standing by the bedside.
"Well, that's all settled, then; you'll let the young man have my rooms?
'Twill only be for two or three days.