"Why so, daughter?" asked the captain.

"Because neither is very young, you know, papa, so that they can hardly
expect to have many years to live together, and the longer they wait the
shorter the time will be."

"Of their life together on earth, yes; but being Christians, they may hope
to spend a blessed eternity in each other's society."

"Shall we make any move in the matter to-night, my dear?" asked Violet.

"I think not, except to talk it over with your mother and grandparents."

"Yes, that will be the better plan," said Violet. "And mother will be the
one to make the suggestion to Cousin Annis and persuade her to adopt it."

"Yes; there will be no need of persuasion as regards the gentleman's share
in the matter."

"There, the Conlys are making a move as if about to go," said Lucilla.
"And I hope they will, for I do want to know what Grandma Elsie and the
others will think of the plan."

"Always in a hurry, daughter mine," the captain said, giving her an amused
smile as they rose and went forward to speed the parting guests and
assure them of a hearty welcome whenever they should see fit to return.

Not long after their departure the others retired to their state-rooms,
Violet, however, going first into that of her mother to tell of her own
and husband's plans concerning the nuptials of their cousins, Mr. Lilburn
and Annis.

"That would be quite romantic for the youthful pair," Mrs. Travilla said
with her low, sweet laugh, "I doubt very much, however, if you can
persuade Annis to give her consent to so sudden a relinquishment of all
the rights and privileges of maidenhood. Besides she will hardly like to
deprive her brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, of the pleasure of
witnessing the ceremony."

"They might be invited to come and be present at the marriage," Violet
suggested a little doubtfully.

"I fear there are too many of them," her mother said in reply; "so that
they will think it would be far easier for Aunt Annis to go to them; and
more suitable for her to be married in her own old home."

"Do you really think so, mamma? Well, please don't suggest it to her. I am
sure that if our plan can be carried out it will be a great saving to
them of both expense and trouble; for of course my husband will provide
the wedding feast."

"Well, dear, I should like to see your plan carried out, and I must insist
upon sharing the expense. But we will talk it over again in the morning.
We are both we