I am aware that it had the appearance of rudeness, but I can only say that it was from necessity and not from choice.

There is something more which I hope some day to tell you, Miss Carleton, but, until I can speak as I wish to speak, it is best to remain silent; meanwhile, I will trust to your friendship to pardon whatever in my conduct may seem abrupt or inexplicable." The conversation was terminated at this point by the appearance of Lieutenant Cohen, whom Harold Mainwaring introduced as an old classmate, and presently all three adjourned to the dining-saloon.
To Harold Mainwaring and Miss Carleton the remainder of the voyage passed swiftly and pleasantly, and the friendship begun at Fair Oaks deepened with each succeeding day.

Though no word of love passed between them, and though Miss Carleton sometimes detected on the part of her companion a studied avoidance of personal subjects, yet, while wondering slightly at his self-imposed silence, she often read in his dark eyes a language more eloquent than words, and was content to wait.
It was his desire that the other members of her party should still remain in ignorance of his real identity; and, as the greater part of the voyage proved somewhat rough, he had little difficulty in preserving his secret.

Mr.Thornton and daughter soon made their appearance and greeted the quondam secretary with unaffected cordiality, but Mr.Thornton was too deeply engrossed in renewing acquaintance with one or two old friends to pay much attention to the younger man, while Edith felt in duty bound to devote herself to the entertainment of Mrs.Mainwaring and Isabel, a task which Miss Carleton was not at all disposed to share.

Not until the last few hours of the trip, when fair weather had become an established fact and land had been sighted, did Mrs.Mainwaring and her daughter appear on deck, and in the general excitement Harold Mainwaring escaped their observation.
The parting between himself and Miss Carleton was necessarily brief.
She gave him her address, saying,-- "I would be delighted if you could consider yourself our guest while in London, and I hope at least that I may see you often before your return." "I thank you, Miss Carleton," he replied.