"Very well, very well," interposed Segoffin, quickly, "we won't say any more about it. I thought mine would be the better plan; but it doesn't matter in the least, in fact, now I think of it, there is something particular that I want to speak to you about. I only ask two minutes of your time--" "Two minutes, fair ladies!" exclaimed the visitor, laughing, "as if two minutes spent out of such delightful society was not two centuries of time." "Ah, monsieur, you are really too kind," exclaimed Suzanne, bridling coquettishly in her delight at this new compliment. "You will have to make up your mind to it, Segoffin," said Sabine, who was beginning to find M. Verduron very amusing. "But I really must speak to you in private, monsieur, and at once," exclaimed the head gunner, greatly alarmed now. "Come, come, my worthy friend, don't speak in such thunder tones, you will frighten these fair ladies," said M. Verduron, too anxious to exercise his fascinations upon the ladies to comply with Segoffin's request. "I will promise you a private audience after they have deprived us of the light of their presence, but not until then." "But at least listen to what I have to say," insisted poor Segoffin, desperate now, and trying to get near enough to the visitor to whisper a few words in his ear. But that gentleman hastily drew back with a loud laugh. "No whispering in the presence of ladies, man! What do you take me for, a savage, a cannibal? This indiscreet friend of mine seems to be resolved to ruin me in your estimation, my dear ladies." "Oh, you have no idea how obstinate M. Segoffin is," remarked Suzanne. "When he once gets anything into his head there is no moving him." The head gunner made no reply. Foiled in his efforts to get the visitor away, he now came a little closer to the trio, with the expression of a person who is prepared for the worst. "So it is to Mlle. Cloarek that I have the honour of speaking," said the ship owner, gallantly, turning to Sabine. "Yes, monsieur, and you, I understand, are one of my father's friends." "He has no more devoted friend and admirer, I assure you, mademoiselle. I should be very ungrateful if I were not; I am under such great obligations to him." "My father has been fortunate enough to render you some service, then, monsieur." "Some service, mademoiselle? He has made my fortune for me." "Your fortune, and how?" asked Sabine, much surprised. "Why, mademoiselle," interrupted Segoffin, hastily, "it is in this gentleman's interest that your father has made so many--so many trips." "That is true, mademoiselle," replied the ship owner, "and every one, almost without exception, has yielded rich returns." "Yes, he is a great manufacturer," whispered Segoffin, edging in between Sabine and Suzanne. "We sell lots of goods for him during our trips." "Then you are at least partially accountable for the anxiety which my father's frequent absences cause me, monsieur," remarked Sabine.