Ashton was not the kind of man from whom is expected hesitancy of
speech. The girl spared him a swift glance from the out-flocking
stream of passengers. His fixed gaze and slack lower jaw betrayed even
more uneasiness than had his voice.

"Don't be afraid," she mocked. "He's not a minister; so he couldn't
marry her without help, and he's not done it since the rescue."

"Not done it?" repeated Ashton vaguely.

"No. According to mamma's letter, Earl Jimmy outgeneraled the low-
browed hero. At Aden he put Vievie on a P. and O. steamer, in the
charge of Lady Chetwynd. He and the hero followed in the tramp steamer
to England, where he kept friend Thomas at his daddy's ducal castle
until Vievie made mamma start home with her. You know mamma streaked
it for London, at Uncle Herbert's expense, the moment Vievie cabled
from Port Mozambique that she was safe. Uncle Herbert would have sent
me, too, but mamma wouldn't have it. Just like her! It was her first
chance to do England and crowd in on Vievie's noble friends. She said
I might spoil the good impression she hoped to make, because I'm too
much of a tomboy."

"But if it's your mother and Genevieve you're waiting for--I
understood you to say the earl and that man Blake."

"Oh, they followed on the next steamer. Mamma wired that they are all
coming on together from New York." "Where's Mr. Leslie? Did he go to
meet them?"

"He? You should know how busy Uncle Herbert always is. I called by his