"Georgiana," said he, taking her hand and looking in her face, "it is proper, my dear girl, you should know that the Thetis has been seen in great danger, and as the late winds have strewed our own coasts with wrecks, we may infer that similar effects have taken place elsewhere; but then she is such a fine vessel, Georgiana,—mind what I say—such a very fine vessel, with a capital crew and admirable officers, there is great reason to hope she would wear out the gale."
Georgiana could not reply; her sobs were suffocating, and Lord Meersbrook, fearing the infection of her tears, went on to say,—
"My grandfather and my great aunt will be in town this evening, at the neighbouring hotel. I am going immediately to Plymouth, that I may be on the spot to learn the tidings, and I trust to, yes, Georgiana, I trust in Heaven (for to God alone must we look), to receive our dear Arthur. Give them all the time, pay them all the attention you can, Lady Anne's consent sanctions you, which is a great comfort to me now. Tell them I was well and in spirits, Georgiana."
Georgiana tried to look up, for she had received comfort, however mingled with sorrow; she saw that he was pale to ghastliness, but she comprehended his charge, and said "she would do her best,
