now
tell me, Ralph, how is good Captain Mudge? I hope that he will pay me a
visit before he sails again, as I want much to talk to him on a matter
of importance."

"He is tough and hearty as ever; he will, I am sure, come and see you,"
said Ralph.

Mrs Treviss, however, did not entirely occupy the young sailor's
attention. He and Jessie had a good deal to say to each other of
especial interest to themselves as they sat side by side, Jessie's hands
having found their way into those of Ralph. At last Mrs Treviss
reminded her that their guest might possibly be hungry, and that it was
full time for supper, which she, in obedience to her grandmother, got up
to place on the table. "How neat-handed and graceful in all her
movements she is!" thought Ralph, as his eyes followed her about the
room; and they were seldom off the door watching for her return when she
went into the kitchen to warm up the old dame's posset and prepare some
other viands. Mrs Treviss took the opportunity of her absence to speak
to Ralph on a subject which he found especially interesting. "If I was
younger and stronger I would not give you this advice I am about to do,"
she said. "I would say, wait for a few years till you have the command
of a ship, and Jessie is older and better able than now to keep house
and have the cares of a family, but as I fear my poor son-in-law, her
father, Captain Flamank, will never more be heard of, and I may ere long
be called to my rest, she will have no one in this world to protect her
but you; and so it's my wish that you should marry as soon as you can
manage to spend a few weeks on shore."

"Then that may be at once," exclaimed the young lover, delighted. "The
_Amity_ requires some repairs, and the captain is much in a mind, unless
a good freight offers, to go into dock, and his wish to serve me may
settle the matter. I little thought when I came up this evening what
good news you had in store for me; I can never thank you enough."

"Nay, Ralph, though I love you, it's my grandchild's welfare I have at
heart, for I can with perfect confidence confide her to you," said the
old lady, taking Ralph's hand and looking him earnestly in the face.
"You will cherish her and watch over her, and guard her from all evil."

"Indeed I will, if health and strength is given me," he answered
solemnly.

"For that we must trust to God," said Mrs Treviss. "All we can do is
to exercise the sense He has given us, and guard