could the poor things say to each other on a crowded quay？ He
begged her forgiveness； on his knees； for having once spoken
harshly to her； and she told him； with passionate sobs； he had
never spoken harshly to her； her folly it was had parted them。
Poor wretches！ they clung together with a thousand vows of love and
constancy。 They were to pray for each other at the same hours： to
think of some kind word or loving act； at other stated hours； and
so they tried to fight with their suffering minds against the cruel
separation； and if either should die； the other was to live wedded
to memory； and never listen to love from other lips； but no！ God
was pitiful； He would let them meet again ere long； to part no
more。 They rocked in each other's arms； they cried over each
otherit was pitiful。
At last the cruel summons came； they shuddered； as if it was their
death…blow。 Christopher； with a face of agony； was yet himself；
and would have parted then： and so best。 But Rosa could not。 She
would see the last of him； and became almost wild and violent when
he opposed it。
Then he let her come with him to Milbay Steps； but into the boat he
would not let her step。
The ship's boat lay at the steps； manned by six sailors； all
seated； with their oars tossed in two vertical rows。 A smart middy
in charge conducted them； and Dr。 Staines and Lord Tadcaster got
in； leaving Rosa； in charge of her maid； on the quay。
〃Shove off〃〃Down〃〃Give way。〃
Each order was executed so swiftly and surely that； in as many
seconds； the boat was clear； the oars struck the water with a loud
splash； and the husband was shot away like an arrow； and the wife's
despairing cry rang on the stony quay； as many a poor woman's cry
had rung before。
In half a minute the boat shot under the stern of the frigate。
They were received on the quarter…deck by Captain Hamilton： he
introduced them to the officersa torture to poor Staines； to have
his mind taken for a single instant from his wifethe first
lieutenant came aft； and reported； 〃Ready for making sail； sir。〃
Staines seized the excuse； rushed to the other side of the vessel；
leaned over the taffrail； as if he would fly ashore； and stretched
out his hands to his beloved Rosa； and she stretched out her hands
to him。 They were so near； he could read the expression of her
face。 It was wild and troubled； as one who did not yet realize the
terrible situation； but would not be long first。
〃HANDS MAKE SAILAWAY； ALOFTUP ANCHOR〃rang in Christopher's
ear； as if in a dream。 All his soul and senses were bent on that
desolate young creature。 How young and amazed her lovely face！
Yet this bewildered child was about to become a mother。 Even a
stranger's heart might have yearned with pity for her： how much
more her miserable husband's！
The capstan was manned； and worked to a merry tune that struck
chill to the bereaved； yards were braced for casting； anchor hove；
catted； and fished； sail was spread with amazing swiftness； the
ship's head dipped； and slowly and gracefully paid off towards the
breakwater； and she stood out to sea under swiftly…swelling canvas
and a light north…westerly breeze。
Staines only felt the motion： his body was in the ship； his soul
with his Rosa。 He gazed； he strained his eyes to see her eyes； as
the ship glided from England and her。 While he was thus gazing and
trembling all over； up came to him a smart second lieutenant； with
a brilliant voice that struck him like a sword。 〃Captain's orders
to show you berths； please choose for Lord Tadcaster and yourself。〃
The man's wild answer made the young officer stare。 〃Oh； sir！ not
nowtry and do my duty when I have quite lost hermy poor wifea
childa mothertheresiron the stepsthere！there！〃
Now this officer always went to sea singing 〃Oh be joyful。〃 But a
strong man's agony； who can make light of it？ It was a revelation
to him； but he took it quickly。 The first thing he did； being a
man of action； was to dash into his cabin； and come back with a
short； powerful double glass。 〃There！〃 said he roughly； but
kindly； and shoved it into Staines's hand。 He took it； stared at
it stupidly； then used it； without a word of thanks； so wrapped was
he in his anguish。
This glass prolonged the misery of that bitter hour。 When Rosa
could no longer tell her husband from another； she felt he was
really gone； and she threw her hands aloft； and clasped them above
her head； with the wild abandon of a woman who could never again be
a child； and Staines saw it； and a sharp sigh burst from him； and
he saw her maid and others gather round her。 He saw the poor young
thing led away； with her head all down； as he had never seen her
before； and supported to the inn； and then he saw her no more。
His heart seemed to go out of his bosom in search of her； and leave
nothing but a stone behind： he hung over the taffrail like a dead
thing。 A steady foot…fall slapped his ear。 He raised his white
face and filmy eyes； and saw Lieutenant Fitzroy marching to and fro
like a sentinel； keeping everybody away from the mourner； with the
steady； resolute； business…like face of a man in whom sentiment is
confined to action； its phrases and its flourishes being literally
terra incognita to the honest fellow。
Staines staggered towards him； holding out both hands； and gasped
out； 〃God bless you。 Hide me somewheremust not be seen SOgot
duty to doPatientcan't do it yetone hour to draw my breath
oh； my God； my God！one hour； sir。 Then do my duty； if I dieas
you would。〃
Fitzroy tore him down into his own cabin； shut him in and ran to
the first lieutenant； with a tear in his eye。 〃Can I have a
sentry； sir？〃
〃Sentry！ What for？〃
〃The doctorawfully cut up at leaving his wife： got him in my
cabin。 Wants to have his cry to himself。〃
〃Fancy a fellow crying at going to sea！〃
〃It is not that； sir； it is leaving his wife。〃
〃Well； is he the only man on board that has got a wife？〃
〃Why； no； sir。 It is odd； now I think of it。 Perhaps he has only
got that ONE。〃
〃Curious creatures； landsmen；〃 said the first lieutenant。
〃However； you can stick a marine there。〃
〃And I say； show the YOUNGSTER the berths； and let him choose； as
the doctor's aground。〃
〃Yes； sir。〃
So Fitzoy planted his marine； and then went after Lord Tadcaster：
he had drawn up alongside his cousin； Captain Hamilton。 The
captain； being an admirer of Lady Cicely； was mighty civil to his
little lordship； and talked to him more than was his wont on the
quarterdeck； for though he had a good flow of conversation； and
dispensed with ceremony in his cabin； he was apt to be rather short
on deck。 However； he told little Tadcaster he was fortunate； they
had a good start； and； if the wind held； might hope to be clear of
the Channel in twenty…four hours。 〃You will see Eddystone
lighthouse about four bells；〃 said he。
〃Shall we go out of sight of land altogether？〃 inquired his
lordship。
〃Of course we shall； and the sooner the better。〃 He then explained
to the novice that the only danger to a good ship was from the
land。
While Tadcaster was digesting this paradox； Captain Hamilton
proceeded to descant on the beauties of blue water and its fine
medicinal qualities； which； he said； were particularly suited to
young gentlemen with bilious stomachs； but presently； catching
sight of Lieutenant Fitzroy standing apart； but with the manner of
a lieutenant not there by accident； he stopped； and said； civilly
but smartly； 〃Well； sir？〃
Fitzroy came forward directly； saluted； and said he had orders from
the first lieutenant to show Lord Tadcaster the berths。 His
lordship must be good enough to choose； because the doctor
couldn't。
〃Why not？〃
〃Brought to； sirfor the presentbywell； by grief。〃
〃Brought to by grief！ Who the deuce is grief？ No riddles on the
quarter…deck； if you please； sir。〃
〃Oh no； sir。 I assure you he is awfully cut up； and he is having
his cry out in my cabin。〃
〃Having his cry out！ why； what for？〃
〃Leaving his wife； sir。〃
〃Oh； is that all？〃
〃Well； I don't wonder；〃 cried little Tadcaster warmly。 〃She is；
oh； so beautiful！〃 and a sudden blush o'erspread his pasty cheeks。
〃Why on earth didn't we bring her along with us here？〃 said he；
suddenly opening his eyes with astonishment at the childish
omission。
〃Why； indeed？〃 said the captain comically； and dived below；
attended by the well…disciplined laughter of Lieutenant Fitzroy；
who was too good an officer not to be amused at his captain's
jokes。 Having acquitted himself of that dutyand it is a very
difficult one sometimeshe took Lord Tadcaster to the main…deck；
and showed him two comfortable sleeping…berths that had been
screened off for him and Dr。 Staines； one of these was fitted with
a standing bed…place； the other had a cot swung in it。 Fitzroy
offered him the choice； but hinted that he himself preferred a cot。
〃No； thank you；〃 says my lord mighty dryly。
〃All right；〃 said Fitzroy cheerfully。 〃Take the other； then； my
lord。〃
His little lordship cocked his eye like a jackdaw； and looked
almost as cunning。 〃You see；〃 said he； 〃I have been reading up for
this voyage。〃
〃Oh； indeed！ Lo