the reason why I gave it to my boat."

"Indeed, you do me a very great honor, and I am grateful to you for
it."

"No; the honor is done to me, if you don't object to the name."

"Of course I cannot object to my own name."

"You may object to having it upon my boat."

"It is a very beautiful boat, and I am sorry you did not give it a
better name."

"There is no better or prettier name in the whole world."

"I don't think so."

"I do," answered Mr. Waterford, with emphasis. "I was sick of the old
name--the Michigan."

"Probably you will soon be sick of the new one--the Marian," added Miss
Collingsby, still gazing into the water.

"Never!" protested the gallant skipper.

"I am afraid you will, as you were of the old one."

"Never, Miss Collingsby! Of course the name itself is but a word, but
the association will cause me to cherish it forever."

"How very fine you talk, Mr. Waterford!"

"But I say just what I mean, and utter only what is nearest to my
heart."

"It is a pity you were not a lawyer, for you always make out a very
good case."

"I am afraid I should only succeed as a lawyer when I was interested in
my client, as in the present instance."

"How long will it be before we overtake Mr. Whippleton?" asked Miss
Collingsby, as though she deemed it prudent to change the conversation,
which I thought was becoming just a little silly, as such talk always
is to all but those who are immediately interested.

"That will depend upon which boat sails the fastest."

"You always said the Michigan--"

"No, the Marian," interposed the skipper. "Please to call the boat by
her right name."

"Well, the Marian; you always said she was the fastest boat on the
lake."

"I think so, though she has never had a fair trial with the Florina."

"I wish you would hurry her up, for I really wish to see Julia Lord,
and have her in the boat with me. I suppose that neither Mr. Whippleton
nor Florina will object to the transfer."

"Perhaps not. If any one has the right to object, I am the person,"
replied the skipper, in a low tone, though I heard what he said.

"You promised to provide me with company, or I should not have come,"
pouted Miss Collingsby, blushing.

"I hoped you would deem me sufficient company."

"Why, what impudence! I want the company of young ladies."

"But you don't object to my company--do you?"

"Certainly not, in your proper place, at the helm of the yacht."

Though I was not skilled