he fort there; think of her birthplace in far Norway, think of the
places she has since seen, imagine her masts growing in the forests on
the mountain side of lonely fiords, where the silence is so intense that
a stone rolling down and dropping into the water echoes like thunder.'

"He went on like this for some time, until I said: 'You seem to have
studied it very carefully.'

"'Perhaps I have,' he answered. 'I am deeply interested in the life of
the sea--few more so. Are you a stranger in New South Wales?'

"'Quite a stranger,' I replied. 'I only arrived in Australia a few days
since.'

"'Indeed! Then you have to make the acquaintance of many entrancing
beauties yet. Forgive my impertinence, but if you are on a tour, let me
recommend you to see the islands before you return home.'

"'The South-Sea Islands, I presume you mean?' I said.

"'Yes; the bewitching islands of the Southern Seas! The most
entrancingly beautiful spots on God's beautiful earth! See them before
you go. They will amply repay any trouble it may cost you to reach
them.'

"'I should like to see them very much,' I answered.

"'Perhaps you are interested in them already?' he continued.

"'Very much indeed,' I replied.

"'Then, in that case, I may not be considered presumptuous if I offer to
assist you. I am an old South-Sea merchant myself, and I have amassed a
large collection of beautiful objects from the islands. If you would
allow me the pleasure I should be delighted to show them to you.'

"'I should like to see them very much indeed,' I answered, thinking it
extremely civil of him.

"'If you have time we might perhaps go and over-haul them now. My house
is but a short distance from the Domain, and my carriage is waiting at
the gates.'

"'I shall be delighted,' I said, thinking there could be no possible
harm in my accepting his invitation.

"'But before we go, may I be allowed to introduce myself?' the old
gentleman said, taking a card-case from his pocket and withdrawing a
card. This he handed to me, and on it I read--

'Mr. Mathew Draper.'

"'I am afraid I have no card to offer you in return,' I said; 'but I am
the Marquis of Beckenham.'

"'Indeed! Then I am doubly honoured,' the old gentleman said, with a low
bow. 'Now shall we wend our way up towards my carriage?'

"We did so, chatting as we went. At the gates a neat brougham was
waiting for us, and in it we took our places. "'Home,' cried my host,
and forthwith we