off her hat, and made her lie down on a couch, where she slept quite
sound for more than an hour, until she was roused by some ladies coming
in with a crying baby.

It was, she thought, nearly time to go on, for the gas was being
lighted. She put on her hat, and went out to look for her uncle on the
platform, so as to get into a better light to see the face of her
mother's little Swiss watch, which her father had just made over to
her. She had just made out that there was not more than a quarter of an
hour to spare, when she heard an exclamation.

'By Jove! if that ain't Mary's little girl!' and, looking up she saw
Mr. Flinders' huge, bushy, light-coloured beard. 'Is your father here?'
he asked.

'No; he sailed this afternoon.'

'Always my luck! Ticket wasted! Sailed--really?'

'Oh yes. We did not come back till the ship was out of harbour.'

He muttered some exclamation, and asked--

'Whom are you with?'

'Uncle William. Mr. Mohun--my eldest uncle. He will be back
directly.'

Mr. Flinders whistled a note of discontent.