hough most unwilling so to do, when Glover caught him by the arm,
exclaiming, "Mr Morton, allow me to introduce you to my cousin, Mrs
Edmonstone--she wishes to make your acquaintance; she knows that if it
had not been for you, I should have been food for the sharks long ago."

Dicky had indeed been saying a number of complimentary things about
Morton, which he fully deserved. Mrs Edmonstone held out her hand and
said frankly, "I am indeed glad to have an opportunity of thanking you
for saving my cousin's life, and affording him the advantage of your
friendship; your name, and, I may say, your many gallant deeds, have
long been familiar to me: all his family are grateful to you."

Morton bowed and felt gratified, for Mrs Edmonstone's manner was so
frank and cordial that he experienced none of the oppression which a
sensitive person is apt to feel when receiving compliments, however well
merited, if not bestowed with tact. She, supposing naturally that he
had already been introduced to her younger companion, did not think it
necessary again to go through that ceremony.

Encouraged by her manner, Morton remained talking in an animated way to
her and her friend, Glover standing by and occasionally indulging in
amusing remarks, which savoured more of the salt ocean than of the
ball-room, but had no want of refinement to shock the ears of his
auditors. Morton felt himself altogether in a new world; it was not
very strange, but it was very different to anything he had ever before
enjoyed; he put forth powers of conversation which he had not supposed
himself to possess. He also was struck with the lively and intelligent
remarks of the younger lady, and at the same time enchanted with the
perfect simplicity which they betokened.

"Certainly her manners and conversation do not belie her looks; she is
charming, she is perfect," he more than once said to himself.

Few men can so conceal their feelings, especially if they are not aware
what those feelings are, when in conversation with a lady, without her
having an idea, undefined and uncertain though it may be, of the matter.
The party were so interested in each other's conversation that they
might have continued talking till supper was announced, entirely
regardless of what was going forward in the rest of the room, had they
not been interrupted by the appearance of another person on the stage,
who came up to claim the young lady's hand.

He was slight and, though not ver