“Ah! yes, yes,” sighed the young lieutenant.
A few minutes passed in silence, during which a waiter appeared with the tea service. When he had arranged the table, Miss Conyers dismissed him, and presided herself over the tea-urn.
“I hope you succeeded in completing your business to-day,” said Justin.
“Yes, thank Heaven, that I did, especially as I am now doubly anxious to bear you company on to Washington,” replied the young man.
“You are a good fellow, Ethel,” said Justin, gravely.
As it was decided that they should leave for Washington by the first train in the morning, it was thought advisable that they should all retire to rest at an early hour that night; so Lieutenant Ethel, at nine o’clock, arose to take his leave.
“I shall go on board again to-night, so as to give my last instructions to Passed Midshipman Allen, whom I shall leave in charge of the prize. But I shall be sure to meet you at the train to-morrow,” he said, as he shook hands with Justin and Britomarte, and bowed himself out of the room.
A few moments longer the two friends remained in conversation, and then Britomarte bade Justin good-night and withdrew to her chamber.
There she found Judith waiting for her.
“Ah! is it you, my dear girl? I am glad to see you. I was afraid that something had prevented you from coming, and that I should not see you again before leaving,” said Miss Conyers.