"But your ship crosses the ocean again next spring, I think I heard the principal say," interposed the earl.
"Very true; but I may not come in her—I don't know."
"I will not believe we are not to meet again. You must come to England and visit us at Blankville. We shall all be delighted to see you."
All except Sir William.
"I hope I shall have the pleasure of meeting you again. If I do not, I shall remember the hours I have spent with you as the pleasantest of my life," continued Shuffles.
"But I am not going to think of such a thing as not seeing you again," persisted Lady Feodora. "I shudder every time I recall the circumstances under which we met. But for your daring courage and your wonderful skill, both Sir William and myself would have been drowned."
The young baronet looked as though the actual situation was not much improvement upon the possible one suggested by his affianced, if he was to be "cut out" in this extraordinary manner.
"You over-estimate the value of my services; but however you regard them, I shall always rejoice that I was able to serve you. I must leave now."
"But we shall meet again, and very soon, too," said Lady Feodora, as she extended her hand to the young officer.
The other members of the party each in turn took him by the hand. The earl and his lady manifested a warm interest in the young hero, and seconded the wish of their daughter that they might meet again.