nearly noon before
She was , in fact , resting securely again in the faith which had never really deserted her , and had only seemed for a little time to waver from her when her hope went . Now that she had telegraphed , her heart was at peace , and she even laughed as she answered the anxious vice-consul . The next morning Clementina watched for the vice-consul from her balcony . She knew he would not send ; she knew he would come ; but it was nearly noon before she saw him coming . They caught sight of each other almost at the same moment , and he stood up in his boat , and waved something white in his hand , which must be a dispatch for her . It acknowledged her telegram and reported George still improving ; his father would meet her steamer in New York . It was very reassuring , it was every thing hopeful ; but when she had read it she gave it to the vice-consul for encouragement .