beds were dug up and remodelled,
three or four times during the season, to suit the caprice of the owner,
while the poor drooping flowers were ranged along the grass-plot to
wither in the sun during the process, and

"Waste their sweetness on the desert air."

This he termed putting his borders into ship-shape.

The flower-beds which skirted the lawn, a pretty grass plot containing
about an acre of ground, surrounded by tall poplar trees, were regularly
sown with a succession of annuals, all for the time being of one sort
and colour. For several weeks, innumerable quantities of double crimson
stocks flaunted before your eyes, so densely packed, that scarcely a
shade of green relieved the brilliant monotony. These were succeeded by
larkspurs, and lastly by poppies, that reared their tall, gorgeous heads
above the low, white railing, and looked defiance on all beholders.

Year after year presented the same spectacle, and pounds of stocks,
larkspur and poppy seeds, were annually saved by the eccentric old man,
to renew his floral show.

Tom W----, who was enchanted with the Captain's oddities, had nick-named
the marine cottage _Larkspur Lodge_.

CHAPTER IV.

A VISIT OF CONDOLENCE.

The news of Lieutenant Lyndsay's intended emigration spread like
wild-fire through the village, and for several days formed the theme of
conversation. The timid shrugged their shoulders, and drew closer to
their own cosy fire-sides, and preferred staying at home to tempting the
dangers of a long sea-voyage. The prudent said, there was a
_possibility_ of success; but it was better to take care of the little
you had, than run the risk of losing it while seeking for more.--The
worldly sneered, and criticised, and turned the golden anticipations of
the hopeful and the benevolent into ridicule, prophesying
disappointment, ruin, and a speedy return. Lyndsay listened to all their
remarks, endeavoured to combat unreasonable objections, and remove
pre-conceived prejudices; but as it was all labour thrown away, he
determined to abide by the resolution he had formed, and commenced
making preparations accordingly.

Flora, who, like many of her sex, was more guided by her feelings than
her reason, was terribly annoyed by the impertinent interference of
others, in what she peculiarly considered, her own affairs. Day after
day she was tormented by visitors, who came to condole with her on the
shocking prospects before her. Some of these