could hardly be seriously mistaken in his friend by this time, and
certainly I should not feel inclined to laugh at him."

"Oh! no. Not _seriously_ mistaken; and I don't think he was so much
vexed at the mistake, as that I should know it."

"I don't understand you," said Graeme.

"It does not matter, Graeme. It will all come out right, I daresay.
Harry was vexed because he saw that I was laughing at him, and it is
just as well that he should be teased a little."

"Rose, don't go yet. What is there between you and Harry that I don't
know about? You would not willingly make me unhappy, Rose, I am sure.
Tell me how you have vexed each other, dear. I noticed it to-night, and
I have several times noticed it before. Tell me all about it, Rose."

"There is nothing to tell, Graeme, indeed. I was very much vexed with
Harry once, but I daresay there was no need for it. Graeme, it is silly
to repeat it," added Rose, reddening.

"There is no one to hear but me, dear."

"It was all nonsense. Harry took it into his head that I had not
treated his friend well, when he was out West, at Norman's, I mean. Of
course, we could not fall into home ways during his short visit there;
everything was so different. But I was not `high and mighty' with him,
as Harry declared afterwards. He took me to task, sharply, and accused
me of flirting, and I don't know what all, as though that would help his
friend's cause, even if his friend had cared about it, which he did not.
It was very absurd. I cannot talk about it, Graeme. It was all
Harry's fancy. And to-night, when Mr Millar spoke so admiringly of Amy
Roxbury, Harry wasn't pleased, because he knew I remembered what he had
said, and he knew I was laughing at him. And I fancy he admires the
pretty little thing, himself. It would be great fun to see the dear
friends turn out rivals, would it not?" said Rose, laughing.

"But that is all nonsense, Rose."

"Of course, it is all nonsense, from beginning to end. That is just
what I think, and what I have been saying to you. So don't let us say
or think anything more about it. Good-night."

"Good-night. It will all come right, I daresay;" and Graeme put it out
of her thoughts, as Rose had bidden her do.

After this, Harry was away for a while, and they saw less of Mr Millar,
because of his absence, Graeme thought. He must have more to do, as the
busy time of the coming and going of the ships was at hand. So their
days pas