ame forward--Tiny to offer her hand in a quiet, unaffected manner,
though a little blush would make its way into her cheek as her eyes met
Trevor's, and she felt the gentle pressure of his hand; Fin to screw up
her face into a very prim expression, shake hands, and then retire,
after the fashion taught by the mistress of deportment at her last
school.

"I wish that old griffin would go," thought Trevor, as the conversation
went on about the sea, the country and its pursuits--a conversation
which Aunt Matty thought to be flighty, and wanting in ballast--which
she supplied.

But Aunt Matty did not mean to go, and dealt out more than one snub keen
enough to have given offence to the young sailor, but for the genial
looks of Lady Rea and the efforts of Fin, who, to her sister's trouble,
grew spiteful as soon as her aunt snubbed her ladyship, and became
reckless in her speech.

Aunt Matty thought it was quite time for "the seafaring person," as she
mentally termed him, to go. She had never known a visit of ceremony
last so long. On the contrary side, Trevor forgot all about its being a
visit of ceremony: he was near his deity--for a warm attachment for the
sweet, gentle girl was growing fast--and he liked the merry laughing
eyes of Fin.

"By the way, Mr Trevor," said Lady Rea. "I hear you've got beautiful
horses."

"Oh, I don't know," said Trevor. "I tried to get good ones."

"I'm told they are lovely. The girls are just beginning riding--papa
has had horses sent down for them."

"I hope they are quiet and well broken," said Trevor, with an anxious
glance at Tiny.

"I don't think, Fanny, that Mr Trevor can care to know about our simple
domestic matters--our horses, for instance," said Miss Matilda, now
solid ice.

"Oh, sailors always love horses, aunty," said Fin, colouring a little;
and then mischievously, as she sent an arrow at Trevor, "because they
can't ride them."

Aunt Matty's lips parted, but no words came; and to calm her ruffled
feelings she took a little dog--in strokes.

"Your daughter is right," said Trevor, "I do love horses; and," he said,
laughing at Fin, "I do try to ride them."

"I hope you'll look at the girls' horses, then, Mr Trevor," said Lady
Rea. "As you understand them, you'd be able to tell whether they are
safe. I don't half like the idea of the girls mounting such wild beasts
as horses often are. As for me, I wouldn't ride on one for the world."

The idea of plump little