I am displeased. I know you have an affection for each other--"

We love each other," interrupted Frank eagerly.

"Well, you love each other, if you prefer it being so put; but you are
both very young, and you must wait for some time even after we are
released, as I hope we shall be by and by, from this desert isle. I
have seen enough of you, Frank Harness, to feel confident that I can
trust my daughter's happiness to your keeping; but you must first secure
a name and a competence for yourself before you can dream of asking her
to be your wife. You see, my boys I may perhaps have overheard more of
your whispered conversation than you thought! I can give Kate nothing,
for I am a ruined man, and was going out to New Zealand to try and
retrieve my lost fortune when this untoward disaster happened!"

"Mr Meldrum," said Frank respectfully, standing up by the side of the
other and facing him like a man, "I want nothing but Kate. She is the
greatest fortune I could ever crave! My father is a rich man, one of
the largest ship-owners in Liverpool, and my taking to the sea has been
strongly against his wish, although he consented to it when he saw how
bent I was upon being a sailor. He could make me independent to-morrow
if I asked him."

"I prefer you as you are, Frank," responded Mr Meldrum; "and I'm sure
so does Kate, eh?"

Yes," said she shyly, and blushing as she looked up for an instant.

"Then keep as you are, my boy,"--continued her father--"and as soon as
you are captain of a vessel of your own--and Mr McCarthy tells me you
are quite competent to pass the Trinity-House examination for a first-
mate's certificate; why, you may come to me and claim Kate's hand!"

"Is that a bargain?" asked Frank anxiously, looking from one to the
other.

"It is," replied Mr Meldrum, while Kate faintly whispered another
"yes."

"Then," said Frank triumphantly, "she shall be my wife before another
year goes over our heads; for, I can pass as soon as I go home for a
first officer's certificate, and get a ship to command immediately
afterwards if I like. Look out for me to make my claim within that
time, according to your promise!"

"And I guess I'm witness to that thaar agreement," exclaimed Mr
Lathrope, starting up.

The artful old fellow had been "playing 'possum," as he termed it, all
along; only waiting for the denouement of the little drama before
disclosing himself. However, he seemed so genuinely pleased with what