Go to the purser's office and find out, Courage. There is no
reason why you shouldn't. You are interested, of course?"
I nodded and left the state-room, but I had no need to visit the purser.
I met her face to face coming out of the saloon. If appearances were in
any way to be trusted, the meeting was as much a shock to her as to
me. She was wearing a thick veil, which partially obscured her features,
but I saw her stop short, and clutch at a pillar as though for support,
as she recognized me. If the amazement in her tone was counterfeited,
she was indeed an actress.
"You!" she exclaimed. "Where are you going?"
"America, I hope," I answered. "And you? I did not see your name on the
passengers' list."
"I am going--home," she answered. "I made up my mind, at the last moment,
to come on this steamer, to cross with my stepmother."
I did not like the way she said it. It was too apt--a little too
mechanical. And yet I could not get it out of my head that her surprise
was natural.
A little, fair woman, wearing a magnificent fur cloak, and with an
eyeglass dangling at her bosom, suddenly bore down upon us.
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