" I repeated, puzzled.

"Yes; about not playin' with fire, you know. I ain't heard of you and
the Princess cruisin' together for the past week. Thought 'twas best
not to be too familiar with the R'yal family, didn't you? That's right,
that's right. We can't take chances. We've got Denboro and the Shore
Lane to think about, ain't we?"

I did not answer. I did not risk looking him in the face.

"She's liable to be here most any time, I cal'late," he went on. "Nellie
would insist on invitin' her. And I must say that, to be honest, the
present she sent is the finest that's come aboard yet. The only thing
I've got against her is her bad judgment in pickin' a father. If 'twan't
for that I--hello! Who--Why, I believe--"

There was a commotion among the guests and heads were turned toward the
door. The captain started forward. I started back. She had entered the
room and was standing there, looking about her with smiling interest.
I had forgotten that, considering her friendship with Nellie, she was
certain to be invited.

She was dressed in a simple, but wonderful, white gown and wore a bunch
of lilies of the valley at her bosom. The doorway was decorated with
sprays of honeysuckle and green boughs and against this background she
made a picture that brought admiring whispers from the people near me.
She did not notice me at first and I think I should have escaped by the
side door if it had not been for Sim Eldredge. Simeon was just behind me
and he darted forward with outstretched hand.

"Why, how d'ye do, Miss Colton!" exclaimed Sim. "You're just in time,
ain't ye! Let me get you a chair. Alvin," to Mr. Baker, who, perspiring
beneath the unaccustomed dignity of a starched shirt front, occupied a
front seat, "get up and let Miss Colton set down."

She looked in Sim's direction and saw me, standing beside him. I had
no opportunity to avoid her look now, as I had done when we met in
the street. She saw me and I could not turn away. I bowed. She did not
acknowledge the bow. She looked calmly past me, through me. I saw, or
fancied that I saw, astonishment on the faces of those watching us.
Captain Jed stepped forward to greet her and I went into the adjoining
room, where George was anxiously awaiting me.

"Good land, Ros!" he exclaimed, with a sigh of relief, "I was beginning
to be afraid you'd skipped out and left me to go through it all alone.
Say something to brace me up, won't you; I'm scared to death. Say," with
a wo