weakness, of a sailor, I trusted that
that friendship would ripen into something warmer."

"Mr Trevor," said Tiny, her voice trembling, "I must request--"

"Tiny, dear Tiny," cried Trevor, passionately, "I may have but a few
moments to speak to you. Don't misjudge me, I have explained all to
Lady Rea, and she will tell you. If I am mad and vain in hoping,
forgive me--I cannot help it, for I love you dearly; and this that I
see--these attentions--these visits--madden me."

"Mr Trevor, pray--pray don't say more!" exclaimed Tiny, glancing in the
direction of the drawing-room.

"I must--I cannot help it," he whispered, passionately. "Tell me my
love is without hope, and I will go back to sea and trouble you no more;
but give me one little word, tell me if only that we are friends again,
and that you will not misjudge me, or think of me as you did the other
day in the wood. Tell me--confess this: you thought me wrong?"

"I had no right to judge you, Mr Trevor," said Tiny, in a trembling
voice; "but--but my sister--and I--"

"Tiny," whispered Trevor, catching her land in his, "my darling, I could
not have a thought that you might not read. Give me one word--one look.
Heaven bless you for this."

Young men are so thoughtless, so full of the blind habits of the
sand-hiding ostrich at such times, and so wrapped up was Richard Trevor,
sailor and natural unspoiled man, in the soft, gentle look directed at
him from Tiny's timid, humid eyes, that, regardless of the fact that
they were close to the drawing-room, the chances are that he might have
gone farther than kissing the little blue-veined hand he held in his,
had not, from behind a clump of camellias, a harsh voice suddenly
exclaimed--

"Now, then, am I right?"

Sir Hampton Rea and Aunt Matty appeared upon the scene.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Aunt Matty had had her way, and was satisfied. Quiet as she was,
she had her suspicions of Trevor's earnest talk to Lady Rea; and when
Vanleigh drew her attention to the fact that the two imprudent young
people had strolled off into the conservatory, by saying, "I suppose
Miss Rea finds the room too close?" she gave him a significant look.

"Sit down and hold Pepine for me, Captain Vanleigh," she said, in a low
voice, "and I'll soon put a stop to that."

Vanleigh said something very naughty, sotto voce, and then, as he felt
bound to flatter Aunt Matty, he seated him