A FEW days later, Hugh Norris rushed unexpectedly into Lizzie’s presence.
‘I have come to wish you good-bye!’ he exclaimed, in a voice of distress. ‘I have received orders this morning which compel me to sail at once; and as the Trevelyan’s repairs are complete, I have no possible excuse for disobedience.’
Lizzie changed colour slightly as she heard the news, but she answered quietly,—
‘And I am sure that, under any circumstances, you would make none. Have you not often told me that a sailor’s first duty is towards his ship?’
‘Ah, yes; that is all very well in theory,’ he said, with a rueful look, ‘but you cannot know what I feel at leaving you alone, Lizzie, at this anxious time.’
‘I shall be safe enough, my dear friend, so have no fears for me. When do you sail?’
‘With the tide this evening, and hardly know how I shall get through all my work by that time. I didn’t expect to get off for another week.’
‘Then I mustn’t detain you, Captain Norris; though it was good of you to think of me at the last.’
‘Of whom else should I think? I shall not be away long this time, Lizzie. I only go to England and back. A couple of months may see me here again. What can I do for you there?’