When she had come to this she became feverishly anxious to be gone. She
busied herself in purchasing agricultural machines, and stores, and even
stock; and to see her pinching the beasts' ribs to find their condition,
and parrying all attempts to cheat her, you would never have believed
she could be a love-sick woman.

Dick kept her up to the mark. He only left her to bargain with the
master of a good vessel; for it was no trifle to take out horses and
cows, and machines, and bales of cloth, cotton, and linen.

When that was settled they came in to town together, and Phoebe bought
shrewdly, at wholesale houses in the city, for cash, and would have
bargains: and the little shop in ----- Street was turned into a
warehouse.

They were all ardor, as colonists should be; and what pleased Dick most,
she never mentioned Falcon; yet he learned from the maid that worthy had
been there twice, looking very seedy.

The day drew near. Dick was in high spirits.

"We shall soon make our fortune out there," he said; "and I'll get you a
good husband."

She shuddered, but said nothing.

The evening before they were to sail, Phoebe sat alone, in her black
dress, tired with work, and asking herself, sick at heart, could she
ever really leave England, when the door opened softly, and Reginald