She allowed Joseph to lead her past the revelers and past a gathering of Chinese men standing and talking outside a restaurant. She was fascinated by the various groups of people who populated Victoria. The Chinese and blacks had apparently come north from San Francisco to mine for gold. She’d expected to see more native people but had learned they’d been ordered to leave the town earlier in the year at the start of a smallpox epidemic.

Joseph stopped in front of what appeared to be a dry-goods store. The light from a nearby streetlamp glinted off the window display of tents, pots and pans, sleeping gear, mining tools, and other supplies for the miners working in the mountains across the bay on the mainland.

“Mercy,” Joseph said, releasing her arm and taking a step away, “I’m taking passage out to the Tynemouth within the hour, and I didn’t want to depart without bidding you farewell.”

He was leaving in an hour? Her heart wrenched in protest.

“Forgive my intrusion,” he said. “I know you are busy and likely have no wish to see me again—”

“That’s not true,” Mercy interrupted. “I wanted to find a way to say good-bye to you, but I didn’t know how.”

At her admission, some of the stiffness of Joseph’s demeanor slipped away. “The Tynemouth weighs anchor tomorrow, and then we shall be on our way again, this time to the Hawaiian Islands.”

During her days of being quarantined with Sarah, Joseph had read to her from his geography book, describing the Hawaiian Islands with great excitement. “I hope it’s as beautiful as your book made it out to be.”

He gave a little smile, not responding with the enthusiasm she expected.

“Will you get to visit the East Indies and China again?”

“Eventually, yes.”

She waited for him to elaborate, to tell her something he was looking forward to seeing, but he remained sober and quiet.

“I’m sure you’re thrilled about reuniting with your sister Patience,” he finally remarked.

“Mrs. Moresby doesn’t think the next ship will arrive for several more months. But she said our ship came sooner than expected, so it’s possible the Robert Lowe will make it here earlier than scheduled too.”

“Yes, let us pray for a swift and safe journey.”

They fell silent again, the laughter and music from the Swan Hall filling the night air.

“Have you any prospects for employment yet?” He crossed his hands behind his back.

“No, but something’s bound to open up right soon. It surely will.” She tried to infuse her voice with confidence. She didn’t want Joseph thinking she was worried or that he’d made a mistake in liberating her from the prospect of marriage.

“I shall speak to the gentlemen on the welcoming committee and inquire about positions in their households.”