"Yes, I do," she said, rising with alacrity and hastily making the needful
preparations.

Ben preceded them to the deck and found comfortable seats for them in the
front rank of those who were there on the same errand.

Elsie's tears began to fall as she saw the shore receding.

"Oh," she murmured very low and sadly, leaning on her brother's shoulder
and clinging more closely to him, "shall we ever return? ever see again
the dear land of our birth and all our loved ones left behind?"

"There is every reason to hope so, dear sister," he whispered in return.
"A voyage to Europe is not the great and perilous undertaking it used to
be; and we are under the same protecting care here as on land. 'And the
Lord, he it is that doth go before thee, he will be with thee, he will
not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.'"

She looked her thanks. "'Fear not;' sweet command! I must, I will obey it.
Oh, how true it is that in keeping His commands there is great reward! I
am fully convinced that in the perfect keeping of them all perfect
happiness would be found."

A gentleman standing near turned suddenly round. The tones of Elsie's
voice had reached him, though very few of the words.

"Ah, I thought I could not be mistaken in that voice," he said
delightedly, and offering his hand in cordial greeting. "How are you, Miss
Elsie? and you, Ned? Really you are the last people I expected to meet