De Forrest and Beckwith made their best bows.
"Miss Julia Gurney, my wife's sister," added Mr. Kinnaird.
"I am delighted to make your acquaintance, Miss Gurney," answered De Forrest, as he bowed to the pretty young lady.
"I was so pleased with the ship in which you sail, and the nice-looking young officers, that I have been wishing I might meet them again," said Miss Gurney.
For half an hour they talked about the ship and the other vessels, and each party told where they had been.
"And you are one of those fine young officers," said the young lady, suddenly, laughing her satisfaction as she spoke.
"I am," replied De Forrest, though he had some doubts on this point.
"And where is your ship now?"
"At Cronstadt. The squadron will go to Königsberg or Danzig next; then to Stettin or Swinemünde. The students will make a trip to Berlin and Dresden."
"O, then I shall see them again," exclaimed Miss Gurney. "But don't you sail with the others?"