Phoebe sat opposite, sullen, heart-sick, wretched to the core; but
determined not to leave Reginald.

Then came an event that might have been foreseen, yet it took them both
by surprise.

A light step was heard, and a graceful, though seedy, figure entered the
room with a set speech in his mouth: "Phoebe, you are right. I owe it to
your long and faithful affection to make a sacrifice for you. I will go
to Africa with you. I will go to the end of the world, sooner than you
shall say I care for any woman on earth but you."

Both brother and sister were so unprepared for this, that they could
hardly realize it at first.

Phoebe turned her great, inquiring eyes on the speaker, and it was
a sight to see amazement, doubt, hope, and happiness animating her
features, one after another.

"Is this real?" said she.

"I will sail with you to-morrow, Phoebe; and I will make you a good
husband, if you will have me."

"That is spoke like a man," said Dick. "You take him at his word,
Phoebe; and if he ill-uses you out there, I'll break every bone in his
skin."

"How dare you threaten him?" said Phoebe. "You had best leave the room."