you, and indeed I don't mind telling
you, Mr. Barclay, that I've been amusing myself during the last
half-hour in rehearsing several speeches."

"I can assure you, captain," said I, "that I fully appreciate all your
goodness. But a public ceremony!--No, a quite private affair in your
cabin, if you please."

We measured half the length of the deck in silence, and I almost
dreaded to hear him speak. He then said:

"It seems a pity to rob the passengers of an edifying sight. There are
several couples in the steerage who ought to be married, and the
example I counted upon offering them would be certain to take effect.
But of course--if it's the young lady's wish,--by the way, you'll
forgive me asking the question: it's quite a matter of form--no
rudeness intended--you are sure that your name is Barclay?"

"Quite sure."

"What Barclay?"

"Herbert," said I.

"Herbert Barclay!" said he, "and the young lady's name's genuine too?"

"Perfectly genuine, captain."

"Grace Bellassys!" said he; "it sound a bit theatrical, don't it?"

"It is her name, nevertheless," said I laughing.

"You see, Mr. Barclay, if the names are wrong, the marriage is wrong."

"There'll be nothing wrong in this marriage," said I, "if the rights of
it are to be dependent merely upon the genuineness of our names. But
now, let me put this question to you: in officiating as you propose,
will you not be accepting a certain legal risk?"

"As how?" he exclaimed.

"You will be marrying a young lady who is under age, knowing, as I
repeat now, and was bound to tell you at the start, that her guardian
objects to the alliance."

"There are no guardians at sea," he said, "in the sense of your young
lady's aunt. I'm her guardian whilst she's aboard my ship, and as I
said before, so I say again, I give my consent seeing the situation
she's put herself in, and understanding that it's my duty to help her
out of it."

I swallowed a laugh, and changed the subject by asking him to tell me
about the couples he had married, and so in chatting, three-quarters of
an hour passed, at the expiration of which time I shook him by the hand
and went to bed.

Mr. Tooth tried hard to keep me awake that he might satisfy his
curiosity; he had vaguely heard I was to be married next day, and
wished for the story of my elopement at first hand. But I was dog
tired, and no sooner did my head press the pillows than I answered him
with snores.

I slept right through