Sir Digby was preparing to suit the action to his words; but this was not so easy to do as might be imagined, for this gay Lothario had lately suffered from a slight rheumatic stiffness of the joints. He had already bent one knee painfully, and it had emitted a disagreeable crack which certainly tended to dispel a portion of the romance from the situation, when sturdy footsteps were heard outside, and next moment the round, rosy face of Richards, of the firm of Griffin, Keane, and Co., appeared smiling in the doorway. Gerty sprang up, leaving her lover to recover the perpendicular as best he might. She rushed towards the old man and fairly hugged him. "Confound it all!" muttered Sir Digby. "I'm afraid," said Richards, "I've interrupted--" "Oh, don't mention it, dear, dear Mr. Richards. What Sir Digby was about to tell me wasn't of the slightest consequence. That is, you know, I mean--it will keep." Sir Digby Auld bit his lip. Richards nodded to him. "I've such news for you, Gerty dear. A long, long letter from Bermuda. Jack's ship--" "Oh, do sit down and tell me all.--Sir Digby, you will forgive us, won't you? You're so good! Sit near us and hear it all.--Yes, Mr. Richards; I'm listening." That she was. What a glad look in her face! what a happy smile! With lips half parted and eyes which shone with an interest intense, she never took her gaze from Mr. Richards' beaming countenance till he had finished speaking. The letter was from a friend of his, and told of the arrival at Bermuda of Jack's ship, and all Jack's doings on shore; and how the _Ocean Pride_ was ordered home; and how, if things turned out well, and she wasn't captured by a Frenchman five times her size, she might be expected back in a fortnight. "O dear, dear Mr. Richards, I'm so happy; I mean, you know, that Flora will--" "Yes, yes; Flora, of course, you sly little puss. There! never blush; I guess I know your secret--Jack, eh?--Ah, Sir Digby, you and I are too old to understand the tender passion, aren't we?" "Yes--that is, no. You better speak for yourself, sir. I--I--I believe I have an appointment--I--Good evening, Miss Keane." Sir Digby Auld's exit was not an impressive one. With an amused look on his face, Richards watched him till the closed door shut out the view; then he stretched out his sturdy legs, threw himself back in his chair, and laughed until the rafters rang. CHAPTER IV. THE BATTLE AND THE BREEZE. "The deck it was their field of fame, And ocean was their grave." "Prayer is the soul's sincere desire, Uttered or unexpressed; The motion of a hidden fire That trembles in the breast."