the cook; a glow which increased to fever heat as the youth
raised the mug to his lips again, and slowly drained it and handed it to
him to wash up.

A little later the men went ashore, and strolling aimlessly up and down
the road, passed the time in waiting for the ceremony and making sudden
dashes after small boys who were throwing at their hats and hitting
their heads.

Seabridge itself was quiet, but Mrs. Banks' house was in a state of
ferment. Ladies with pins in their mouths wandered about restlessly
until, coming into the orbit of one of the brides, they stuck one or two
into her and then drew back to behold the effect. Miss Banks, in
white satin, moved about stiffly; Mrs. Church, in heliotrope, glanced
restlessly up the road every time she got near the window.

"Now you sit down," said one lady, at length, "both of you. All you've
got to do now is to wait for the gentlemen."

It was whispered that Mr. Gibson's delay was due to the fact that he had
gone up for Captain Barber, and as time passed a certain restlessness
became apparent in the assembly, and sympathetic glances were thrown in
the direction of Mrs. Church. Places at the window were at a premium,
and several guests went as far as the garden gate and looked up the
road. Still no Captain Barber.

"It's time they were here," said Mrs. Banks at last, in a stern voice.

There was a flutter at the gate, and a pretty girl heliographed with her
eyes that the parties of the other part were in sight. A minute or
two later they came into sight of the window. Captain Barber, clad in
beautiful raiment, headed the _cortege_, the rear of which was brought
up by the crew of the _Foam_ and a cloud of light skirmishers which
hovered on their flanks. As they drew near, it was noticed that Captain
Barber's face was very pale, and his hands trembled, but he entered the
house with a firm step and required no assistance.

Of his reception there was never for a moment any doubt. Young matrons
smiled and shook their heads at him, middle-aged matrons took him by the
hand, while old ladies committed themselves to the statement that they
had seen matrimony in his eye for years. He received the full measure
accorded to a very distinguished convert, and, taking a chair placed
against the wall, surveyed the company with the air of a small boy who
has strayed into a hostile alley. A little natural curiosity found vent.

"Now, what first put it into your head to get married?"