He eyed these abrasions for a while and ended with a soft complacent laugh. "Queer, how little removed we are, after all, from the natural savage!" he murmured. "Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to introduce to your notice Batty Langton, Esquire, a child of nature-- not perhaps of the best period--still using his naked fists and for a woman--primitive cause of quarrel. And didn't he enjoy it, by George!" He laughed again softly. But, could he have foreseen, he had been willing rather to cut the hand off for its day's work. Chapter IV. THE TERRACE. Ruth was happy. To-day, and for a whole week to come, she was determined to be purely happy, blithe as the spring sunshine upon the terrace. For a week she would, like Walton's milkmaid, cast away care and refuse to load her mind with any fears of many things that will never be. Her spirit sang birdlike within her. And the reason?--that the _Venus_ had arrived in harbour, with Dicky on board. Peace had been signed, or was on the point to be signed, and in the North Atlantic waters His Majesty's captains of frigates could make a holiday of duty. Captain Harry used his holiday to sail up for Boston, standing in for Carolina on his way and fetching off his wife and his firstborn--a bouncing boy. It was time, they agreed, to pay their ceremonial visit to Sir Oliver and his bride; high time also for Dicky to return and embrace his father. Sir Oliver had written of his approaching marriage. "Well, dear," was Mrs. Harry's comment, "'twas always certain he would marry. As for Ruth Josselin, she is an amazingly beautiful girl and I believe her to be good. So there's no more to be said but to wish 'em joy." Captain Harry kissed his wife. "Glad you take it so, Sally. I was half afraid--for of course there _was_ the chance, you know--" "I'm not a goose, I hope, to cry for the moon!" "Is that the way of geese?" he asked, and they both laughed. A second letter had come to them from Eagles, telling them of his happiness, and franking a note in which Ruth prettily acknowledged Mrs. Harry's congratulations. A third had been despatched; a hurried one, announcing his departure for England. Before this reached Carolina, however, the _Venus_ had sailed, and Dicky rushed home to find his father gone. But a message came down to Boston Quay, with the great coach for Mrs. Vyell, and the baggage and saddle-horses for the gentlemen. There were three saddle-horses, for Ruth added an invitation for Mr. Hanmer, "if the discipline of the ship would allow." "She always was the thoughtfullest!" cried Dicky. "Why, sir, to be sure you must come too. . . . We'll go shooting. Is it too late for partridge? . . . One forgets the time of year, down in the islands." Strangely enough Mr. Hanmer, so shy by habit, offered but a slight resistance.