t even in the
ward-room, among his brother officers.

He seemed shy, also. When he had shaken hands with Lady Beresford and
her daughters, and sat down, there was a distinct flush on the
sun-brown face, and he proceeded to say, hastily,

'I--I heard you had come down here at the end of the season, Lady
Beresford--Admiral Stratherne told me--and I had a telegram to send
off; so I thought I might take the chance of finding you not gone
abroad yet.'

'I am not going abroad this year,' Lady Beresford said, wearily.
'Really my nerves cannot stand the perpetual fatigue and worry of the
railway stations and hotels. But the girls are going--by themselves.
It is becoming quite common now. They don't want even to have a maid
with them; and really I am ashamed of the attention I require----'

'Nan is going with us too,' said Miss Beresford, staring into the
fireplace, where there was no fire.

'Oh! indeed,' said the grave young lieutenant.

'She has never been abroad before. Won't her eyes grow big! She has a
great capacity for wonder and admiration; she will do all our reverence
for us at the proper shrines.'

'You have seen Sir George recently, then?' said Lady Beresford.

'At Portsmouth last week. They were all down from the Admiralty.'

'What a dear old gentleman he is!' she said.

'He is the finest sailor and the best-hearted gentleman in her
Majesty's service--and that's not saying a small thing,' was the
answer, prompt and straight.

'You are a great pet of his,' said Miss Beresford, 'are you not?'

'He has been a very good friend to me. But you needn't imagine it is
because of that I respect him--that I more than respect him--I love
him.'

There was a touch of earnestness in his voice and in the simplicity of
the phrase, that made Miss Beresford regard him for a second with
almost wondering eyes. She had never seen, for her part, anything
about Sir George Stratherne to be enthusiastic about.

However, she had to continue the conversation unaided, for her mother
was too languid. Beauty had got into an effective position, and was
content to be silent, while the Baby was useless. So she said with a
smile,

'I hope Sir George won't have to find fault with you for bringing your
ship into these shallow waters. Tom--my brother Tom, you know--is very
anxious about it. I think he would like to give you his advice.'

'I should be glad to have it,' said Lieutenant King, with befitting
gravity, 'but I