the college shall be a colossal
statue of Father Burke, in solid gold. He has not uttered a word in half
an hour."

The priest answered pleasantly, but the tone of the conversation had
given him little pleasure. Folly was in the air, and Elinor Marshall, to
his surprise, seemed in harmony with it. Heretofore he had known her as
a thoughtful, serious-minded woman, with a leaning to melancholy; and
this unexpected and evidently enjoyable flight--or plunge--into pure
nonsense, caused him a distinct uneasiness. The girl was brightening up,
even becoming merry; a state of mind that never leads to a nunnery.

In this conversation, which ran on with rare intervals of seriousness
until the meal was ended, Father Burke took no part. And when the
younger people had gone below for their interview with Solomon, he
decided, after long reflection, that considering the gravity of the case
his obvious duty was to drop a word in the lady's ear concerning this
new acquaintance. The rest of the Boyds--the two sisters--were good
Catholics, and from them there was nothing to fear. But if he, Father
Burke, could counteract the influence of this interesting heretic, it
would be a pious work. He must find his opportunity for an earnest
conversation, and before she landed.

The more he meditated, the more anxious he became. But Fate, the
practical joker,--the fickle, the ruthless, the forever mocking,--was
only waiting to lay his enemy at his feet.

[Illustration]

III

A FOOL AT THIRTY

Toward the end of that day it became evident, in the west, that
preparations were going on for an American sunset. Preliminary colors,
chiefly gold and crimson, crept swiftly across the sky. These colors,
more dazzling as the sun approached the water, were caught and tossed
about upon the surface of the sea until all the universe seemed ablaze.

Of this gorgeous spectacle Elinor Marshall, in a sheltered corner of the
deck, was an appreciative witness.

Pats, in his mercy, had decided to allow the lady a respite from his
society, at least during a portion of the afternoon. The lady, however,
was so much more interesting than anything else aboard that he finally
ignored his better judgment. And now, leaning against the rail in front
of her, he found the sunset duller, more monotonous and commonplace than
the human combination in the steamer-chair. She, however, her head
thrown back, with half-closed eyes, seemed fascinated by the glories in
t