ttled. She's the dearest girl in the world,
mother."

"Of course she is," sobbed Mrs. Nancarrow. "There, wait a minute until
I dry my eyes. I never expected such a thing, and--and oh, Bob, my
dear, dear boy!"

"You mustn't imagine that you aren't still dear to me, mother, or that
I love you one whit the less. I don't, you know, and Nancy loves you
too."

"Yes, yes, I know that. It isn't that, my boy! But--but--you'll never
know what a woman feels when she first learns that her only boy loves
another woman better than he loves his mother. It isn't sorrow. Bob,
oh no! I'm as glad as glad, and I couldn't wish for anything better.
But what about the Admiral? Will he consent? I know he wants Nancy to
marry Captain Trevanion."

CHAPTER IV

For the next few days Bob lived in happy dreamland. It is true he did
not see Nancy much alone, and no suggestion of their betrothal was made
known. But he found an excuse for going to Penwennack every day, and
Admiral Tresize, never imagining what was in his mind, always gave him
a hearty welcome. Nancy had two brothers nearly of Bob's age, one of
whom had been to Clifton with him; and although he was on the military
side of the college, they saw much of each other. Dick Tresize was
fond of Bob, in spite of the dissimilarity in their tastes, and as Bob
evinced a sudden love and efficiency for tennis, he became in great
demand. He also raised himself in the Admiral's estimation by
challenging Captain Trevanion, who was a scratch man at golf, to a
match on the Leiant Links.

"How many strokes do you expect me to give you?" rather scornfully
demanded Trevanion, who had not been at all pleased at Nancy's constant
disinclination for his society and her sudden preference for Bob's.

"Oh, we'll play level!" was Bob's reply.

"I like a game when I play," said the Captain who joined heartily in
the laugh at Bob's expense.

"I'll try to give you a game," was Bob's reply.

"Good old Bob," cried Dick Tresize, "and the loser shall stand tea at
the Club House for the whole bally lot of us. And it must be a good
tea too. We'll have a dish of cream and all sorts of cakes. We can
easily arrange it, for Thursday is a quiet day, and the crowds of
visitors haven't made their appearance yet. Have you plenty of money
with you, Bob."

"Oceans," replied Bob, pulling out a handful of change. "I'm only
thinking about the state of Trevanion's finances."

"They are all righ