nths. Consequently I am as happy as a king."

He smoked with evident satisfaction; but Angela thought that she
discerned a look of trouble upon his face.

CHAPTER XLVIII.

ANGELA.

"So it was not you after all, sir," said Captain Somers, surveying Heron
with some surprise, and then glancing towards a secluded corner, where
Brian and Elizabeth were absorbed in an apparently very interesting
conversation. "Well, I must have made a mistake. I didn't know anything
about the other gentleman."

"Oh, we kept him dark," returned Percival, lightly. "My cousin didn't
want her affairs talked about. They make a nice couple, don't they?"

"Ay, sir, they do. Mr. Vivian made a mistake, too, perhaps," said
Captain Somers, with some curiosity.

"We're all liable to make mistakes at times," replied Percival, smiling.
"I don't think they've made one now, at any rate."

And then he left Captain Somers, and seated himself on a chair, which
happened to be close to the one occupied by Angela Vivian. Brian and
Elizabeth were still within the range of his vision: although he was not
watching them he was perfectly conscious of their movements. He saw
Brian take Elizabeth's hand in his and raise it gently to his lips. The
two did not know that they could be seen. Percival stifled a sigh, and
twisted his chair round a little, so as to turn his back to them. This
manoeuvre brought him face to face with Angela.

"They look very happy and comfortable over there, don't they?" he said.

"I think they will be very happy," she answered.

"I shouldn't wonder." He moved restlessly in his chair, and looked
towards the sea. "You know the story," he said. "I suppose you mean she
will be happier with him than with me?"

"She loves him," said Angela scarcely above her breath.

"I suppose so," he answered, dryly. Then, after a pause--"Love is a
mighty queer matter, it seems to me. Here have I been trying to win her
heart for the last five years, and, just when I think I am succeeding,
in steps a fellow whom she has never seen before, who does in a month or
two what I failed to do in years."

"They have a great deal to thank you for," said Angela.

Percival shook his head.

"That's a mere delusion of their generous hearts," he said. "I've been a
selfish brute: that's all."

It seemed easier to him, after this, to discuss the matter with Angela
from every possible point of view. He told her more than he had told
anyone in the world of