"Well, if you really ask my opinion, I'd say, you are right. For our
parts--that is, for the girls and myself, I mean--we should like it all
the better, and if you would n't find us too tiresome companions--"

Miss O'Hara was interrupted here by Mrs. Kennyfeck, who, with
considerable agitation in her manner said, "I must beg pardon for
disturbing your agreeable _tete-a-tete_, Mr. Cashel, but I wish to say
one word to my sister."

As they retired together, Frobisher came up, and, drawing his arm within
Roland's, led him to a window: "I say, old fellow, you are going too
fast here; hold in a bit, I advise you."

"How do you mean?--what have I done?"

"It's no affair of mine, you know, and you may say I'm devilish
impertinent to mix myself up in it, but I don't like to see a fellow
'sold,' notwithstanding."

"Pray be explicit and frank; what is it?"

"Well, if you 'll not take it ill--"

"I promise I shall not--go on."

"Do you mean to marry that little girl yonder, with the blue flower in
her hair?"

"I cannot say that I do, or that I do not," said Roland, getting very
red.

"Then, you 're making a very bad book, that's all."

"Oh, you 're quite mistaken; I don't suspect her of the slightest
feeling towards me--"

"What has that to say to it, my dear fellow?" interrupted Frobisher. "I
did n't imply that she was in love with you! I wanted to warn you about
the mess you 're getting into,--the family fracas; the explanation
asking; the sermonizing; the letter-writing; the tears, reproaches,
distractions,--ay, and the damages, too!--devilish heavy they'd be
against one like you, with plenty of 'ready.' Hush! they 're coming."

Miss O'Hara advanced towards Cashel, and Frobisher retired; her mien
and carriage were, however, statelier and more imposing, with less
of cordiality than before. "We cannot agree upon the details of
this excursion, I find, sir; my sister's scruples, Mr. Kennyfeck's
doubts,--the difficulties, in short, of every kind, are such, that I
fear we must relinquish it."

Cashel bowed deeply, without uttering a word; the insinuations of
Frobisher were added in his mind to the suspicion that some secret game
was being played against him, and his manly nature was insulted by the
doubt.

Aunt Fanny, perhaps, perceived she had gone too far, for, reassuming her
former smile, she said, "Not that we despair of one day or other taking
a pleasure-trip in your beautiful vessel."

"You do me too m