‘Well, dearest, it will be better to get the matter settled any way. I am sorry now that your mother has not been more explicit with Mr Leyton, but she preferred to speak to him herself on the subject. If I am lucky, I shall be there too, and between us all, we must carry the day.’ ‘Unless father thinks that, as mother is such an invalid, it is my duty to remain with her and take care of her. Baby is of no use, you know.’ ‘Alice!’ exclaimed Blythe suddenly, ‘tell me the truth! Do you _want_ to marry me?’ ‘Why, of course I do, Jack. Didn’t I fall in love with your handsome face the first day we met?’ ‘Oh, bother my handsome face!’ cried the young man impetuously. ‘_Do you love me?_ That is the question? Does your heart speak to mine?’ ‘How tiresome you are to-night,’ returned Alice. ‘What have I ever done to make you think I don’t love you? Haven’t we talked of being married, and told all our friends about it for a year past? Why,’ she continued in a shy tone, ‘I marked one of my handkerchiefs A. B. the other day, just to see how it looked, and I thought it was _lovely_.’ ‘Dear girl,’ said Jack patronisingly, ‘that is finally settled then. Whether I sail in the _Pandora_ or not, I shall make my way out to New Zealand and ask your father to give you to me for my wife.’ ‘But that will not be for a long time yet, and so we need not talk of it any more,’ replied Alice. ‘Here is your mother, Jack, coming across the common to meet us.’ Vernon rose as his mother advanced towards them. His politeness to her was as great as it was to other women. ‘Here is a letter for you from Stern & Stales, my dear,’ said Mrs Blythe, ‘so I thought you would wish to see it at once.’ ‘Thanks,’ cried Vernon, as he tore open the envelope. ‘Mother! you have joined us most opportunely. Listen. ‘“DEAR SIR,--An accident has happened to the second officer of the _Pandora_ through the snapping of an iron chain, which will prevent him from sailing in the vessel. ‘“I am able, therefore, most unexpectedly to offer you the appointment you desire. If you will be at the shipping office on the seventeenth instant at twelve o’clock to meet Captain Robarts, you can sign the necessary articles.” ‘There’s good luck, mother. Won’t you wish me joy? Alice! we are to be shipmates, and I can make up my mind now. I will join the party on the _Water Witch_ to-morrow, and see that you behave yourself steadily. Mother! I shall want all my things to be ready by the twenty-third.’ But Mrs Blythe was already half-way back across the common, sobbing as if her heart would break. [Illustration] [Illustration] CHAPTER III. IRIS HARLAND.