oes not follow that he has done any more than hundreds of
others would have done."

"Are there so many men that are 'always doing their duty'?"

"I hope so. I believe so. In naval affairs."

"You have not told me what was the occasion that brought your doings
into prominence?"

He glanced at her with a flash in his eyes again.

"Is that pressing just now?"

"Isn't now a good time?" said Dolly, smiling.

"No, for my head is full of something else. I can't tell you how I came
to be promoted first. After I was raised to a lieutenancy, I got
special credit for disciplining the crew."

"Disciplining?" said Dolly.

"Exercising them in gunnery practice."

"Oh!--I remember how you told me about that in the gun deck of the
'Achilles.'"

"This was on board another ship. Her guns were well served upon an
occasion that followed, and honourable mention was made of my services
as having led to that result. Now shall I go on?"

"If you have any more to tell."

"I am going no further on that tack. You must come about."

"I suppose," said Dolly quaintly, "I must if you must."

"We were getting too far to leeward. We must come up into the wind a
little more, Dolly, and face our difficulties. I think I have found the
way out of them. As I understand you, it is quite a matter of
uncertainty when, or if ever, Mr. Copley can be induced to leave
England."

"Quite uncertain. Even if he promised to-day that he would go next
week, I could not be sure but he would change his mind before the day
came."

"And so long as he and your mother are here, they need you. Do you see,
Dolly, what prospect that opens to us?"

"Yes."

"The only thing to do, is to give me a right to speak in the matter."

"You have a right to speak," said Dolly. "Only"----

"I have no right to speak with authority. You must give me the
authority."

"How?" said Dolly shyly.

"There is but one way. Don't you see, if I have the right to say where
you shall be, the rest all follows?"

"How can you?" said Dolly.

He took her hand gently. "You must marry me before I go," said he. "It
is the only way, Dolly. Don't be startled; you shall have all the time
you want to get accustomed to the thought. I am not going to hurry you.
The only difference is, that instead of being married the day I get to
you in America, we will have the ceremony performed here, the day I
leave you. Not till then, Dolly. But then, of course, you must go to
America to meet me; a