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VALE I 283 friend, with whom one has long broken, heard sud-denly after years, speaking to new associates. Scotty carefully arranged my things in my cabin. I then gave him a character I had written out for him, and added something to such wages as were his due. He looked at me with eyes full of dispro-portionate thanks, seized my hand, kissed it, and hurried out of the door. I followed him, and found him motionless half-way up the stairs, with his head bent, crying into the sleeve of his coat. I turned back : I did not wish to disturb him. Alas, the gratitude of man Has oftener left me mourning ! I leant over the bulwarks when he was once again in his boat; his red cap was mounting and falling in the stern ; he looked back to the ship, and I waved him adieu for ever. Besides myself there were only two passengers on board. The saloon and cabins were full of a kind of ghostly quiet. We dined at half-past five whilst we still lay off Larnaca. When I left the saloon we were just beginning to move. Darkness was falling, and alone and undisturbed I watched Cyprus melt away like a dream on a windless sea that was coloured like a faded violet.

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