moment; you are
never alone," he said, detaining her almost forcibly. "I love you; you
must know that I do. What is that land, or any land, beside my love?
You are my country! I can give you lands, title, rank, luxury-- Be
pitiful to me, Mistress Katharine. What can I do or say or promise?
You shall grace the court of the king, and be at the same time queen of
my heart," he went on impetuously, his soul in his eager whisper. She
turned and walked over to the lee rail, whither he followed her.

"I 'd rather be in that land off yonder than be the king himself. I
hate the king, and I could not love the enemy of my country! No, no,"
she replied, "it cannot be--it can never be!"

"Pshaw! Your country,--that's not the reason; you love him still," he
went on jealously, "that sailor."

"Yes, 't is true; I love a sailor--you are not he."

"But he is dead! You left him lying there on the floor in the hall,
you remember, and since then have heard nothing. He is surely dead."

"It is cruel of you to say it," she went on relentlessly, "but I shall
love his memory then. No, 't is useless--I respect you, admire you, am
grateful to you, but my heart is there!" and she pointed away again.

"Won't you let me try to win you?" he persisted. "Don't say me nay
altogether, give me some hope. If he be dead, let me have a chance.
Oh, Katharine Wilton, I would give up anything for--"

A midshipman touched him on the arm. "Captain wants to see first
lieutenant, sir!" he said with a wooden, impassive face, saluting the
while.

With a smothered expression of rage, Desborough sprang across the
deck,--for such a summons is not to be disregarded for an instant; even
love gives way to the captain, on shipboard at least. The little
midshipman was a great favorite with Katharine, and, grateful for the
interruption, she accordingly laid her hand lightly and affectionately
on the shoulder of the Honorable Giles Montagu, aged thirteen, one of
the youngest and smallest middies in the ship; but he stood very
straight and rigid, the personification of dignity, and endeavored to
look very manly indeed.

"Thank you, Mr. Montagu," she said, somewhat to his surprise.

"Don't mention it, nothing at all, madam--orders! Got to obey orders,
you know."

Katharine laughed. "You dear sweet child!" she said, and suddenly
stooped and kissed him. The Honorable Giles turned pale, then flushed
violently and burst into unmanly tears.

"Why, wh