"Thoroughly, indeed," said Cardo. "I shall never forget the fortnight
I have passed under your roof."
"The lil gel has done her best, Ay know," said his host.
"A year I think you said you were going out for," said Captain Owen.
"Well, I hope to be away only eight or nine months; certainly not longer than a year," said Cardo.
And while the two old sea captains bade their last good-byes and good wishes to each other, Cardo slipped out to find Valmai, who had quietly disappeared.
She was sitting on the old red sofa in the little back parlour in an abandonment of grief.
"Oh! Cardo, Cardo, it has come! Now in reality it has come!"
Cardo drew her towards him.
"Cheer up, darling," he said. "You'll be brave for my sake, won't you?"
"Yes," she said, trying to check her sobs, "this is the last time I am going to be weak and childish. To-morrow I will be strong and brave and womanly. You will see, Cardo, a bright, courageous wife to cheer her husband at parting, and to bid him look forward with hope to meeting again. Oh! I know quite well what I ought to be."