the house I live in, with all its plenishing, and I will settle L70 a
year on thee."

"That is but a little thing for thee to do."

"Then I will make it a L100 a year. Now what dost thou say?"

"I will marry thee, Peter, and I will do my duty to thee, and make
thee happy." Then she put her hand in his, and he walked home with
her.

Next day all Lerwick knew that Peter was going to marry Glumm's
handsome widow.

CHAPTER IX.

JAN AT HIS POST.

"Then like an embryo bird
One day, he knew not how, but God that morn
Had pricked his soul--he cracked his shelly case, and
Claimed his due portion in a larger life.
Into new life he starts, surveys the world
With bolder scope, and breathes more ample breath."

With a great sigh of content Jan resigned himself to rest when the
parting was over; and "The Lapwing," with wind and tide in her favor,
went almost flying down the black North Sea. The motion of the vessel
and the scent of the salt breeze were like his mother's lap and his
native air. He had cast off his old life like an old garment. Michael
Snorro and Dr. Balloch were the only memories of it he desired to
carry into his new one. But at the first hour he could not even think
of them. He only wanted to sleep.

Very soon sleep came to him, steeped him from head to feet in
forgetfulness, lulled him fathoms deep below the tide of life and
feeling. It was after twelve the next noon when he opened his eyes.
Lord Lynne was sitting at the cabin table just opposite his berth. It
took Jan two or three moments to remember where he was, and during
them Lord Lynne looked up and smiled at him. Jan smiled back a smile
frank and trustful as a child's. It established his position at once.
Lord Lynne had been wondering what that position was to be, and he had
decided to let Jan's unconscious behavior settle it. Even an animal,
or a bird, that trusts us, wins us. The face that Jan turned to Lord
Lynne was just such a face as he would have turned to Snorro--it
trusted every thing, it claimed every thing, and every thing was given
it.

"You have had your health-sleep, Vedder; I dare say you are hungry
now?"

"Very hungry," answered Jan. "Is it breakfast time?"

"You mean is it lunch time? You will have to put two meals into one.
Shall I order you some fresh fish, and eggs, and a broiled bird?"

"The thought of them is good."

"And some roast mutton and potatoes?"

"Yes, and plenty of t