The absence had been short, but the change in her was very
perceptible. She was quieter; she was more intent. She had always
taken a great interest in his undertakings, but now that interest
not only seemed to be deepened, but it was clouded by a certain
anxiety. She had been an ardent, cheerful, and hopeful co-worker
with him, so far as she was able to do so; but now, although she
was quite as ardent, the cheerfulness had disappeared, and she did
not allude to the hopefulness.

But this did not surprise Clewe; he thought it the most natural
thing in the world; for that polar expedition was enough to cloud
the spirits of any woman who had an active part and share in it,
and who was bound to feel that much of the responsibility of it
rested upon her. At times this responsibility rested very
heavily upon himself. But if thoughts of that little submerged
party at the desolate end of the world came to him as he sat in
his comfortable chair, and a cold dread shot through him, as it
was apt to do at such times, he would hurriedly step to his
telegraphic instrument, and when he had heard from Sammy Block
that all was well with them, his spirits would rise again, and he
would go on with his work with a soul cheered and encouraged.

But good news from the North did not appear to cheer and
encourage the soul of Mrs. Raleigh. She seemed anxious and
troubled even after she had heard it.

"Mr. Clewe," said she, when he had called upon her the next
morning after his return, "suppose you were to hear bad news from
the Dipsey, or were to hear nothing at all--were to get no answer