nsinuation that I didn't consider you
worthy of all trust, Ned; only that Mrs. Travilla and the old governor
have always been so awfully strict and particular."

Elsie, to whom the slang term was new, looked at the speaker with a
slightly puzzled expression; but Edward, who fully understood it, drew
himself up with offended dignity.

"Permit me to remark, Mr. Ross, that so disrespectful an allusion to my
honored grandfather can never be other than extremely offensive to me, and
to all his children and grandchildren."

"Beg your pardon, Nod, and yours, Miss Elsie" (he would have liked to
drop the Miss, but something in her manner prevented him), "I call my own
father the governor--behind his back you know--and meant no offence in
applying the term to Mr. Dinsmore."

His apology was accepted, and the talk turned upon the various objects of
interest within sight as they passed through the harbor.

When there was little more to see but sky and water, Elsie retired to her
state-room, where she stayed until evening. Then Edward came for her, and
they passed an hour very enjoyably in promenading the deck or sitting side
by side, looking out upon the moonlit waters.

"I wish we hadn't happened upon Phil Ross," Edward remarked in an
undertone far from hilarious. "I fear he will, according to custom, make
himself very disagreeable to you."

"I have been thinking it over, Ned," she answered, "and have come to the
conclusion that the better plan will be for you to take the first
favorable opportunity to tell him of my engagement and what is the object
of our journey."

"I presume such a course will be likely to save you a good deal of
annoyance," Edward said; "and as we are old acquaintances, and he
evidently full of a curiosity that will assuredly lead to his asking some
questions, I think it will be no difficult matter to give him the
information without seeming to thrust it upon him."

At that moment Philip came up and joined them, helping himself to a seat
on Elsie's other side. He seemed to be, as of old, on the best of terms
with himself and very graciously disposed toward Elsie.

He, too, had been thinking of the, to him, fortunate chance (Elsie would
have called it providence) which had thrown them together where for some
days they were likely to see much of each other. He had heard a report of
her engagement, but refused to credit it. "She had always been fond of him
and it wasn't likely she would throw herself