was conscious of the fact that Lady O'Hara was close
by him, waving a white handkerchief.

Then he seemed to see nothing but a blurred picture of boats drawing
nearer, as the great _Northumbrian_, with her sails hanging almost
motionless, glided slowly onward through the calm water.

He was conscious, though, of the gangway being manned, and of a guard of
soldiers being drawn up to receive the governor, the officers and the
captain and mates being ready too.

At last the boat came close in alongside; a sharp order was shouted, the
guard presented arms, and a big burly grey officer stepped easily on
board, raised his hat to the officers, and then took Lady O'Hara's hands
in his, gazed at her for a moment, and then quietly drew her arm through
his, while she drew a deep, long breath, and stood there proud and
happy.

Nic just saw her, but only as it were out of the corner of his eye, for
he was tremblingly watching the gangway for the next comer--a tall,
spare, grey, aquiline-looking man with face of a warm sun tan, and eyes
that seemed to pierce the boy through and through, as he held out his
hand and cried "Father!"

"Yes, my boy. Then you knew me again? Why, Nic, lad, what a great
fellow you have grown! Lady O'Hara, welcome back."

"And glad to be back," cried the lady, shaking hands, and after a glance
at Nic, asking the question hovering on his lips, "And how are they at
the Bluff?"

"All well, and send loving greetings."

"Which I'll answer for myself, and very soon," cried the lady.

"And all well?" said the governor, with a look round as if addressing
every one.

Lady O'Hara answered.

"Yes, all well. An excellent voyage, and you'll thank the officers for
their kindness to me and Dominic Braydon here. Gentlemen, I am going
ashore in the boat, but I shall not say good-bye. My husband bids me
say that he will be glad to see every one who can leave the ship this
evening at dinner. What time, my dear?"

"Six, gentlemen," said the governor; and after a little official
business the party descended into the boat, and, feeling as if it were
all a dream and impossible, Nic sat there being rowed ashore toward
Government House, holding his father's hand for the first few minutes
till he fancied that he was noticed, and then listening to him as he
pointed out the various buildings ashore, and the vessels afloat, two of
them being men-of-war, whose rigging was gay with bunting in honour of
the governor's