“We are not going to have any qualms, mamma. I am determined to be a good sailor, and I will not hear a word about your being sick. Why, what should I do for company without you, and not a friend to speak to on this great ship?”
Rupert turned now to look at the speaker, his face luminous with surprise and delight; the moody look all gone from his brow, his fine lips wreathed with smiles.
At this movement the young girl glanced up and their eyes met.
“Miss Alexander!” cried the young man, going forward with outstretched hand.
“Mr. Hamilton!” Virgie stammered, her lovely face suffused with blushes.
Their hands met in an eager clasp, and Mrs. Alexander, viewing this unexpected reunion of the youth and maiden from her position a little in the background, and noting how much their looks and actions expressed, knew that she had run directly into the danger she had been trying to escape all summer.
But it was too late to mend matters now; fate had ordered it so to be, and she could only submit to the inevitable with as good a grace as possible.
“Mamma,” Virgie said, as soon as she could collect herself, “this is Mr. Hamilton, whom we met during the trip to California; Mr. Hamilton, let me introduce you to my mother, Mrs. Alexander.”
The lady and gentleman exchanged greetings, and then Rupert insisted upon making himself useful to Mrs. Alexander, who was still something of an invalid, although much better than when we last saw her in May.
He unfolded her chair, saw her comfortably seated, and then arranged her wraps and rugs so deftly, and was so kindly attentive to her needs, so gentlemanly and entertaining in conversation, that she was at once disarmed of half her fears and prejudices.