You are a novelist, Miss Smithers; perhaps some day you will write a book to explain why people fall in love where their affection is not wanted, and what purpose their distress can possibly serve.

And now, once more, good bye!" and he lifted her hand to his lips and gently kissed it, and then, with a bow, turned and went.
From all of which it will be clearly seen that Mr.Tombey was decidedly a young man above the average, and one who took punishment very well.
Augusta looked after him, and sighed deeply, and even wiped away a tear.
Then she turned and walked aft, to where Lady Holmhurst was sitting enjoying the balmy southern air, through which the great ship was rushing with outspread sails like some huge white bird, and chatting to the captain.

As she came up, the captain made his bow and departed, saying that he had something to see to, and for a minute Lady Holmhurst and Augusta were left alone.
"Well, Augusta ?" said Lady Holmhurst, for she called her "Augusta" now.
"And what have you done with that young man, Mr.Tombey--that very nice young man ?" she added with emphasis.
"I think that Mr.Tombey went forward," said Augusta.
The two women looked at each other, and, womanlike, each understood what the other meant.

Lady Holmhurst had not been altogether innocent in the Tombey affair.
"Lady Holmhurst," said Augusta, taking the bull by the horns, "Mr.Tombey has been speaking to me and has"-- "Proposed to you," suggested Lady Holmhurst, admiring the Southern Cross through her eyeglasses.

"You said he went forward, you know." "Has proposed to me," answered Augusta, ignoring the little joke.