HARK FORRARD! 21 



arranged the cushions comfortably, left her, and 

 as she lay with her eyes closed, Reggie was 

 enabled to take stock. He was compelled to 

 acknowledge, that though she was deadly pale, 

 still she was quite the most beautiful woman 

 he had ever seen in his life. 



'This must be Miss Lancelot,' said he to 

 himself. ' It can't be anybody else, that's 

 certain.' 



He felt an intense longing to speak to her, 

 and was on the qid vive for an opportunity to 

 break the ice. He had not to wait very long, 

 as, after a few minutes, a book which lay on 

 her lap fell on to the deck. He at once sprang 

 up and handed it to its owner, at the same time 

 expressing a hope that she felt better. 



' Thanks ; yes,' said she ; ' I shall be all 

 right I hope by to-morrow. I am always very 

 ill the first day, but soon pick up afterwards.' 



Her voice, however, was so weak that 

 Reginald felt it would be cruel to bother her by 

 talking any more at present. Soon after this 

 the bell rang for luncheon, and as he passed 



