plained to them in England, and perhaps my words may prevail."
Jack, by shaking his head mournfully, seemed to indicate his idea
that this would not be the case; but Jack is resolute, and will never
yield on any point. Had he been in my place, and had entertained my
convictions, I believe that he would have deposited Crasweller in
spite of Sir Ferdinando Brown and Captain Battleax. "You will come
and see me on board, Jack, when I start."

"They won't take me off, will they?"

"I should have thought you would have liked to have seen England."

"And leave Eva! They'd have to look very sharp before they could do
that. But of course I'll come." Then I gave him my blessing, told
him what arrangements I had made for his income, and went down to my
breakfast, which was to be my last meal in Britannula.

When that was over, I was told that Eva was in my study waiting to
see me. I had intended to have gone out to Little Christchurch, and
should still do so, to bid farewell to her father. But I was not
sorry to have Eva here in my own house, as she was about to become my
daughter-in-law. "Eva has come to bid you good-bye," said Jack, who
was already in the room, as I entered it.

"Eva, my dear," said I.

"I'll leave you," said Jack. "But I've told her that she must be very
fond of you. Bygones have to be bygones,--particularly as no harm has
been done." Then he left the room.

She still had on the little round hat, but as Jack went she laid it
aside. "Oh, Mr Neverbend," she said, "I hope you do not think that I
have been unkind."

"It is I, my dear, who should express that hope."

"I have always known how well you have loved my dear father. I have
been quite sure of it. And he has always said so. But--"

"Well, Eva, it is all over now."

"Oh yes, and I am so happy! I have got to tell you how happy I am."

"I hope you love Jack."

"Oh!" she exclaimed, and in a moment she was in my arms and I was
kissing her. "If you knew how I hate that Mr Grundle; and Jack is
all,--all that he ought to be. One of the things that makes me like
him best is his great affection for you. There is nothing that he
would not do for you."

"He is a very good young man," said I, thinking of the manner in
which he had spoken against me on the Town Flags.

"Nothing!" said Eva.

"And nothing that he would not do for you, my dear. But that is all
as it should be. He is a high-spirited, good boy; and if he will
think a little more of the bu