"I am Miss Johnstone," said the teacher, advancing.
"What a relief! The steward thought no governess had come on board, and I must not have dared to send Miss Chandos alone. My lady——"
"You would, Hill; so don't talk nonsense," interrupted the young lady, with a laugh, as she threw up her white veil, and brought her beauty right underneath the cabin lamp. "Would the fishes have swallowed me up any the quicker for not being in somebody's charge? Unfasten my cloak, Hill."
"This young lady is Miss Chandos, ma'am," said the person addressed as Hill, presenting the beautiful girl to Miss Johnstone. "Please take every care of her in going across."
The young lady wheeled round. "Are you our new English teacher?"
"I am engaged as English governess at Mademoiselle Barlieu's," replied Miss Johnstone, who had not at all a pleasant manner of speaking. "She wrote word to me that I might expect Miss Chandos and Miss Hereford on board."
"Miss Hereford!" was the quick response. "Who is she?"
But by that time I was lying down on the berth, and the rough voice again interrupted.
"Any lady as is for shore had better look sharp, unless they'd like to be took off to t'other side the Channel."
"What fun, Hill, if they should take you off!" laughed Miss Chandos, as the former started up with trepidation. "Now don't stumble overboard in your haste to get off the boat."