" Percy asked, his countenance brightening
somewhat.

"Yes--heart and hand; and I hope will remain so for some years to
come."

"That is some consolation, captain; and it is a great pleasure to be
with her, even in the presence of others, and though prohibited to say
a word in my own behalf."

"Try to have patience, my young friend," returned the captain, still
speaking in a kindly tone; "you are young yet, and though you cannot
believe it possible now, the time may come when you will see some
other maiden who will be even more attractive to you than my little
girl is now."

"I do not know how to believe it, sir," sighed Percy; but at that
moment the approach of a light footstep put a sudden end to their
talk.

"Good-morning, father, and Percy too! Why, you are out unusually
early, are you not?" Lucilla exclaimed, holding out a hand to him. "Is
it haste to catch the first glimpse of Erie--not lake but city--that
has brought you on deck so soon?"

"Not only that, Miss Lu; it is a delightful time for being on
deck--the sunrise was very beautiful," he said, taking the pretty hand
for an instant, and giving it a friendly squeeze; "but you are a
trifle too late for that."

"Yes," she said; "but I have seen it a number of times, and may hope
to see it many times more on the waters of lakes or oceans."

"I hope you may," he returned pleasantly. "I wish with all my heart
that every sort of enjoyment may be yours--now and always."

"Very kind of you," she said with a smile; "but I doubt if it would be
best for me to be always free from every sort of trial and trouble.
Papa," turning to him, "shall we have our usual stroll back and forth
upon the deck--Percy joining us, if he wishes?"

"Yes," her father answered, drawing her hand within his arm; and the
three paced back and forth, chatting pleasantly on the ordinary topics
of the day till joined by the other members of their party and
summoned to the breakfast table.

There was no disappointment in the visit to Erie; it proved quite as
interesting as any one of the party had anticipated; the return
voyage was delightful. They anchored for the night in the near
vicinity of the island where they had landed on first coming to the
neighborhood, and whence they received their daily mail.

CHAPTER XII.

"I wonder if Walter won't be joining us soon?" Lucilla remarked to her
father as they walked the deck together the next morning.