inquisitive?"

"By no means, Mr Evelin. It is a question easily answered; I am not
aware that we are related in the most remote degree."

"You are _not_?" he exclaimed in a tone of the greatest surprise. "I am
sure I most earnestly beg your pardon; how very stupid of me to make
such a mistake; but the resemblance between you two is so very striking
that, although no one has ever said a word to lead me to such a
conclusion, I have never doubted, from the moment I came on board, that
you must be closely related. I am sure I am quite at a loss for words
wherewith to express my apologies."

"No apology is necessary, I assure you, Mr Evelin," returned Blanche.
"On the contrary, I feel rather flattered by your supposition, for I
greatly admire Robert's many sterling qualities. And what a bold brave
fellow he is too, notwithstanding his quiet unassuming manner. If you
feel any curiosity as to his history Captain Staunton will be only too
happy to furnish you with full particulars; he can enlighten you far
better than I can, and the story is worth listening to; the manner of
their first acquaintance especially is a romance in itself."

Lance's curiosity was aroused; but, instead of referring to the skipper,
he preferred to hear the story from Blanche's own pretty lips; and
sinking down into a deck-chair beside her he listened with interest to
all that the fair girl could tell him respecting Bob.

"Poor fellow!" he remarked when Blanche had finished her story, "and he
has never been able to find a clue to his parentage! It is very
singular; there surely _must_ be relatives of his still in existence
somewhere. Did the fishermen who saved his life never make any
inquiries?"

"No, it appears not," answered Blanche. "According to Robert's own
account, though he always speaks with the greatest respect and affection
of the old man who adopted him, the people among whom he was thrown are
very simple and ignorant of everything outside the pale of their own
calling, and it would seem that they really did not know how to set
about instituting an inquiry."

"Well, what you have told me has interested me so much, and the lad
himself has made such a favourable impression upon me, that I believe I
shall really feel more than half-inclined to undertake the somewhat
Quixotic task of seeking his relatives myself when we reach England.
Who knows but that it might be my good fortune to gladden the heart of a
father or mother whose