" laughed the captain, "then suppose we all go together."

"Willingly, sir, if that will suit her better," answered Chester, turning
enquiringly to Lucilla.

"I think nothing could be pleasanter," she said, and the others being of
like opinion, they were presently gliding over the waters of the lagoon
intensely enjoying the swift easy movement and the fairylike scenes
through which they were passing.

CHAPTER VIII.

It was late when at last all the _Dolphin's_ passengers were gathered in.
The party to which the Raymonds belonged were the first, the young men who
had accompanied them in the electric launch bidding good-night at the
Peristyle, and all had retired to their respective state-rooms before the
coming of the others; all except the captain, who was pacing the deck
while awaiting their arrival.

His thoughts seemed not altogether agreeable, for he walked with drooping
head and downcast eyes and sighed rather heavily once or twice.

"Papa dear, what is the matter? Oh, have I done anything to vex or trouble
you?" asked Lucilla's voice close at his side.

"Why, daughter, are you there?" he exclaimed, turning toward her with a
fatherly smile, then taking her hand and drawing her into his arms,
stroking her hair, patting her cheeks, and pressing a fond kiss upon her
lips. "No, I have no fault to find with my eldest daughter, and yet----"
He paused, gazing searchingly and somewhat sadly into the bright young
face.

"Oh, papa, what is it?" she asked, putting her arms about his neck and
gazing with ardent affection and questioning anxiety up into his eyes.
"You looked at me so strangely two or three times to-night, and I so
feared you were displeased with me that I could not go to my bed without
first coming to ask you about it, and get a kiss of forgiveness if I have
displeased you in any way."

"No, daughter, you have not displeased me, but--your father is so
selfish," he sighed, "that he can scarce brook the thought that someone
else may some day oust him from the first place in his dear child's
heart."

"Oh, papa!" she exclaimed in half reproachful tones, "how can you be
troubled with any such idea as that? don't you know that I love _you_ ten
thousand times better than anybody else in the whole wide world? I just
_love_ to belong to you, and I always shall," she added, laying her head
on his breast and gazing with ardent affection up into his eyes. "Besides,
I am only a little girl yet, as you've