wear there was," growled Sickleton.

"You give them luncheon, I hope?" said Cashel, smiling at the other's
impatience.

"Yes; we've had something like an ordinary here, today, and as I heard
that to-morrow would be busier still, I have had my boat going backwards
and forwards all the morning to prepare."

"I am desired to show you this card, sir," said the mate, handing one to
Sickleton, who passed it to Cashel.

"Lord Kilgoff--indeed!" said he, surprised, and at once hastened to the
deck.

"Mr. Cashel himself here!" exclaimed my Lady, from the stern of a small
boat alongside; and after an exchange of friendly recognition, the party
ascended the gangway. "This was a pleasure we scarcely looked for, to
meet you here," said his Lordship, blandly. "We had just taken our drive
down to the harbor, when accidentally hearing your yacht had arrived,
Lady Kilgoff grew desirous to see it."

"A yacht in harbor is a horse in stable," said Cashel. "Will you permit
me to give you a cruise?"

"I should like nothing in the world so well."

"It is late--almost six o'clock," said Lord Kilgoff, looking at his
watch.

"And if it be," said my Lady, coaxingly, "you know Dr. Grover
recommended you the sea air and sea excursions. I declare you look
better already, don't you think so, Mr. Cashel?" "I protest I do," said
Cashel, thus appealed to; "and if you will only pardon the deficiencies
of a floating cuisine, and dine here--"

"How delightful!" broke in my Lady, not suffering even time for an
apology.

"It appeared to me there was a haunch of venison hanging over the stern
when we came on board?" said my Lord, with his glass to his eye.

"Yes, my Lord," said Sickleton, touching his hat in salutation; "I've
had it there for two hours every day since Tuesday week."

"And is the wind, and the tide, and everything else as it should be, Mr.
Cashel?" said Lady Kilgoff.

"Everything--when you have only uttered your consent," said he,
gallantly.

"What is this, sir?" said my Lord, as, having requested something to
drink, Sickleton poured him out a large glassful of scarcely frothing
liquid.

"Dry champagne, my Lord. Moot's."

"And very excellent too. Really, Laura, I am very sorry it should be so
late, and we were to have dined with Meek at seven--"

"But only alone--no party, remember that," said she, persuasively; "how
easy to send the carriage back with an apology."

Cashel looked his thanks, but without speaking.

"T