h, nothing else can serve me. However,
the time for doing so has not yet arrived. We must get home first."

"The truth!" muttered Rolf Morton. "Where is that to be found? I doubt
that it will serve us anyhow."

"Well, dear father, all is in God's hands," said Ronald, after he had
dismissed the old men; "I have always been content and proud to be your
son, and to me, therefore, as far as my own feelings are concerned it
matters little who was your father, or to what family he belonged,
except--ah--I for an instant forgot--others may value family more than I
do." And Ronald told his father of his love for Edda Armytage, and of
his belief that his love was returned.

Rolf Morton listened earnestly. He had more knowledge of the world than
his son, and he was less accustomed to look on the bright side of
things.

He shook his head.

"I doubt not she is all you say, and I am grateful to her mother's
sister for instructing you in your boyhood, but I have little cause to
love her race. The old Sir Marcus worked me all the ill he could, and
from what I have heard of this son-in-law of his, he is a proud and vain
man, not likely to have much regard for the feelings of young lovers'
hearts. But cheer up, Ronald. You have a noble profession, and the way
to its highest rank is open to you."

"But Edda has promised to be mine, and her father could scarcely wish to
make her break her word," answered Ronald, with a simplicity which would
have made a man of the world smile.

"I would not damp your spirits, lad; but if you would escape having your
hopes stranded, don't trust too much to promises."

Ronald thought that his father was taking too desponding a view of
matters.

"We'll hope, father, that in this instance you are mistaken as to
Colonel Armytage," he answered, in a cheerful tone. "I am sure that you
would like both his wife and daughter."

"Ronald, my boy, you forget that I am a bo'sun," said Rolf, rising from
his seat. "Let us go on deck."

They there met Glover, who welcomed Mr Morton with the greatest
cordiality.

"I first went to sea with you, Mr Morton, you remember," he observed.
"You taught me more of seamanship than I ever learnt from anybody else.
Besides, you know if it hadn't been for your son I should long ago have
been food for the fish."

It was now time for Rolf to return on board the "Lion." His son and
Glover attended him down the side with as much attention as they would
have paid