of the ships belonging to the firm had
been working either at a loss or at a very small profit. The most
successful was the _Phoenix_, which had been put on the guano trade. She
still continued to be a favourite, and her voyages were followed with
great interest in the newspapers. The poet of the town had written some
verses in her honour:--

"Rock proud, thou fire's daughter,
Thy flame-enshrouded helm!"

It was doubtless this allusion to the helm, which had been most in
danger at the time of the fire, which caused the success of the poem,
and insured it a permanent position in all the concerts.

In accordance with the express wishes of the deceased, Jacob Worse had
been chosen as guardian for Rachel and Gabriel. Mrs. Garman was still to
remain in the position of partner, with Morten as manager of the
business. For each of the younger children a considerable sum was set
apart; a sum, in fact, which was just about equal to that with which
Morten had entered the firm.

Rachel had thus to go to Jacob Worse for an explanation of her affairs,
for she wanted to have a clear idea of what she really possessed, and
what her exact position was. Worse answered her in a calm and measured
business tone.

"Well, then, this money," said she, one day, in Worse's office, "is my
own, and is entirely under my own control?"

"Yes, in addition to your share in the business," added Worse, in
explanation; "and if your mother should die, your part of her property
will come to you at the division which will follow. It will then depend
upon you or your future husband--"

"My future husband will surely allow me to manage my own property," said
Rachel.

"It is to be hoped he will; but, as you perhaps know, in the event of
your marrying, you will lose the entire control."

"Then I will never marry!"

"I am of opinion myself that you might do something better than
marriage," said Jacob Worse.

Rachel observed him closely, but failed to fathom his thoughts.

"How I envy you your clear intelligent head!" said she, somewhat
scornfully. "You lay out for yourself some plan or another in life, and
then your object is forthwith accomplished. You quietly follow your
plans, and in the same way you expect that those to whom you give your
advice, will follow it without wavering. You are just like father. You
really are too precise."

"I regard that as the greatest compliment I have ever received,"
answered Worse, smiling.

"But fa