“Yes, with all my heart,” I said, giving him my hand, and there was a lump as big as an egg in my throat.

Carteret turned away, while I hastened to find Lucille and tell her the good news. She could have her wedding gown now, I told myself.

She was not in the room with the other women. It was getting dusk, and I hastened through many apartments in search of her. Once or twice I called her name, but there was no answer. I went out of the block. Near the door I confronted Simon. His face was so pale that I was startled.

“What is the matter, man? Are you ill?” I asked.

“No,” he answered, huskily. “I am not sick. I was thinking of Sir George. I am without a master now.”

“I hear you are to leave us, Simon,” I said.

“Yes,” he replied, “Captain Carteret has been kind enough to get me passage to Boston. Thence I can sail for England, to Sir George’s kinfolk.”

“Well, a pleasant voyage,” I called, as I was about to pass on.

“Wait,” he said, thickly.

I turned around.