infatuation, it was not right, but it is common to shipboard; and I lost
my head, that was all."

Some time later I was still at work in the dispensary, when I heard Mr.
Treherne's voice calling to me from outside. I drew back the curtain.
He was leaning on his daughter's arm, while in one hand he carried a
stick. "Ah, Doctor, Doctor," cried he, "my old enemy, sciatica, has me
in its grip, and why, in this warm climate, I can't understand. I'm
afraid I shall have to heave-to, like the 'Fulvia', and lay up for repairs.
And, by the way, I'm glad we are on our course again." He entered, and
sat down. Belle Treherne bowed to me gravely, and smiled slightly. The
smile was not peculiarly hospitable. I knew perfectly well that to
convince her of the reality of my growing admiration for her would be no
easy task; but I was determined to base my new religion of the affections
upon unassailable canons, and I felt that now I could do best by waiting
and proving myself.

While I was arranging some medicine for Mr. Treherne, and advising him
on care against chills in a hot climate, he suddenly broke in with: "Dr.
Marmion, Captain Ascott tells me that we shall get to Aden by Tuesday
morning next. Now, I was asked by a friend of mine in London to visit
the grave of a son of his--a newspaper correspondent--who was killed in
one of the expeditions against the native tribes, and was buried in the
general cemetery at Aden. On the way out I was not able to fulfil the
commission, because we passed Aden in the night. But there will be
plenty of time to do so on Tuesday, I am told. This, however, is my
difficulty: I cannot go unless I am better, and I'm afraid there is no
such luck as that in store for me. These attacks last a week, at least.
I wish my daughter, however, to go. One of the ladies on board will go
with her--Mrs. Callendar, I believe; and I am going to be so bold as to