Maturin writes a letter to Diana encouraging her to take passage to England. Aubrey personally delivers the message; he finds Diana vague, vain, and infuriating though he keeps his own counsel on Maturin's behalf. Diana asks Aubrey to allow her passage aboard H.M.S. Surprise but he declines; she insults him and calls him a 'scrub', and he leaves in silence. Later, Diana attempts to visit Maturin aboard ship but finds him unconscious and feverish. She returns two days later and holds a brief conversation with him, wherein she appears to accept his marriage proposal and Maturin believes they are engaged. Diana has sold some of her jewels and has purchased a passage to England; she intends to meet Maturin there in several months' time.
Maturin's fever continues high and M'Alister determines that the ball.....
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