t was manifestly clear that Captain King was not shamming
satisfaction; not for many a day had his face looked so bright.

'Well, I'm glad you take it that way,' said Mr. Tom. 'I thought you
would be cut up. Most fellows are; though they pretend not to be. I
really do believe you're rather glad that Madge has given you the slip.'

'Sit down, Beresford, and I will tell you all about it. I proposed to
your sister Anne years ago.'

'To Nan? Why wasn't I told?'

'These things are not generally preached from the house-tops. She
refused me point-blank; and I knew she was a girl who knew her own
mind. Then I rejoined my ship; and remained mostly abroad for a long
time. I fancied it would all blow over; but it didn't; I was harder
hit than I thought; and then, you know, sailors are driven to think of
bygone things. Well, you remember when I came home--when I met you in
the street. I thought I should like to have just another glimpse of
Nan--of Miss Anne, I mean--before she married the parson. Do you
remember my going into the drawing-room? Madge was there--the perfect
image of Nan! Indeed; I thought at first she was Nan herself. And
wasn't it natural I should imagine the two sisters must be alike in
disposition too? And then, as it was hopeless about Nan, I fancied--I
imagined--well, the truth is, I made a most confounded mistake,
Beresford; and the only thing I have been thinking of, day and night,
of late, was what was the proper and manly thing to do--whether to tell
Madge frankly--or whether to say nothing, with the hope that after
marriage it would all come right. And now you needn't wonder at my
being precious glad she has herself settled the affair; and there is
not a human being in the world more heartily wishes her lifelong
happiness than I do. And I wish to goodness I knew some way of letting
her know that too.'

Tom stretched out his legs--his hands were in his pockets--and said,
contemplatively,--

'So you thought Madge was the same as Nan. I could have told you
different, if you had asked me. You thought you could find another
girl like Nan. If you want to try, you'll have to step out. By the
time you've found her, the Wandering Jew 'll be a fool compared to you.
Girls like Nan don't grow on every blackberry bush.'

'I know that,' said Frank King, with a sigh.

Then Mr. Tom looked at his watch.

'I'm very hungry,' said he. 'Have you dined?'

'No, I have not. I was going to walk al