When the yacht had cleared the Christiania Fjord, the night was fine
and clear, but a breeze sprang up from the westward, and grew fresher
towards morning. This had the effect of sending the yacht along under
sail and steam, and at eight o'clock the next day the pilot was sent
ashore at Frederikshavn with a telegram for Pastor Lindal, that they
hoped to arrive at Aarhus at six in the evening.

"When are you going to marry your Scandinavian princess, John?" asked
Mrs. Hardy, when she was settled in her usual place on deck.

"I am afraid to say anything, mother, to Helga," replied her son. "I
see there does exist a doubt in her mind as to whether she is not
doing what is wrong in leaving her father for this cruise, much more a
cruise for life. I fear to approach the subject with her, as it may
lead to her entertaining a fixed determination not to marry until her
father's death."

"There is no selfishness about Pastor Lindal," said Mrs. Hardy, "and,
moreover, he is a sensible man. He is certain to desire that his
daughter should be well and happily provided for; besides, he has seen
enough of you, John, to value you, and I see he likes you. I think you
are right not to speak to Helga on the subject; leave it to me and
Pastor Lindal."

"Thank you, mother, a thousand times," said John. "I understand you
perfectly well, and I will do anything you think best or shall
arrange."

"What I have thought of, John, is this," said his mother: "you can be
married, say, the first of August, and remain at Rosendal for your
honeymoon, and then come home to Hardy Place."

"And what will you do, mother?" asked John.

"I see you do not want your own mother in the way during the
honeymoon," said Mrs. Hardy, smiling. "You can send the yacht round to
Esbjerg, and I will meet it by rail as soon as you are married, and
return home in the yacht to Harwich."

"What! go home alone, mother?" said John. "I cannot let you do that!"

"Well, you can see me safely off at Esbjerg, John," said Mrs. Hardy,
"But this is the way that will please me best, and I wish to give you
a welcome home with your wife, and I long to see her at the head of
the table at Hardy Place."

"You are the same good mother, ever;" and John took his mother's hand
and kissed it.

As soon as the entrance of the outer harbour at Aarhus could be made
out, John Hardy went on the bridge with his binocular, and
distinguished Pastor Lindal's head appearing over the parapet wal