The Vaterland was advertised to sail at one o'clock, and it wanted but
fifteen or twenty minutes of the hour. After assuring himself that his
belongings were all together in his state-room, John made his way to the
upper deck and leaning against the rail, watched the bustle of
embarkation, somewhat interested in the people standing about, among
whom it was difficult in instances to distinguish the passengers from
those who were present to say farewell. Near him at the moment were two
people, apparently man and wife, of middle age and rather distinguished
appearance, to whom presently approached, with some evidence of hurry
and with outstretched hand, a very well dressed and pleasant looking
man.
"Ah, here you are, Mrs. Ruggles," John heard him say as he shook hands.
Then followed some commonplaces of good wishes and farewells, and in
reply to a question which John did not catch, he heard the lady
addressed as Mrs. Ruggles say, "Oh, didn't you see her? We left her on
the lower deck a few minutes ago. Ah, here she comes."
The man turned and advanced a step to meet the person in question.
John's eyes involuntarily followed the movement, and as he saw her
approach his heart contracted sharply: it was Mary Blake. He turned
away quickly, and as the collar of his ulster was about his face, for
the air of the January day was very keen, he thought that she had not
recognized him. A moment later he went aft around the deck-house, and
going forward to the smoking-room, seated himself therein, and took the
passenger list out of his pocket. He had already scanned it rather
cursorily, having but the smallest expectation of coming upon a familiar
name, yet feeling sure that, had hers been there, it could not have
escaped him. Nevertheless, he now ran his eye over the columns with
eager scrutiny, and the hands which held the paper shook a little.
There was no name in the least like Blake. It occurred to him that by
some chance or error hers might have been omitted, when his eye caught
the following:
William Ruggles New York.
Mrs. Ruggles " "
Mrs. Edward Ruggles " "
It was plain to him then. She was obviously traveling with the people
whom she had just joined on deck, and it was equally plain that she was
Mrs. Edward Ruggles. When he looked up the ship was out in the river.