"Good Lord!" Captain Harry repeated, and his eyes wandered again to Ruth Josselin. "Awkward, hey? . . . But I say, Noll--you really _are_ Sir Oliver! Dear lad, I give you joy, and with all my heart. . . . Gad, here's a piece of news for Sally!" Again he came to a doubtful halt, and again with his eyes on Ruth Josselin. He was not a quick-witted man, outside of his calling, nor a man apt to think evil; but he had been married a month, and this had been long enough to teach him that women and men judge by different standards. "Sir Oliver," repeated Langton, "Miss Josselin craves your leave to retire." "Yes, dear"--Miss Quiney launched an approving nod towards her--"I was about to suggest it, with Sir Oliver's leave. The hour is late, and by the time the sedan-chair returns for me--" "There is no reason, Tatty, why we should not return together," said Ruth quietly. "The night is fine; and, with Manasseh for escort, I can walk beside your chair." "Pardon me, ladies," put in Mr. Silk. "Once in the upper town, you may be safe enough; but down here by the quay the sh--sailors--I know 'em-- it's my buishness. 'Low me--join the eshcort." But here, perceived by few in the room, a somewhat remarkable thing happened. Mr. Hanmer, who had stood hitherto like a statue, put out a hand and laid it on Mr. Silk's shoulder; and there must have been some power in that grip, for Mr. Silk dropped into his seat without another word. Captain Harry saw it, and broke into a laugh. "Why, to be sure! Hanmer's the very man! The rest of ye too drunk-- meaning no offence; and, for me,--well, for me, you see there's Sally to be reckoned with." He laughed aloud at this simple jocularity. "Hanmer!" "Yes, sir." "Convoy." "If you wish it, sir." The lieutenant bowed stiffly; but it was to be noted that the scar, which had hitherto showed white on a bronzed cheek, now reddened on a pale one. Miss Quiney hesitated. "The gentleman, as a stranger to Boston--" "I'll answer for Hanmer, ma'am. You'll get little talk out of him; but, be there lions at large in Boston, Jack Hanmer'll lead you past 'em." "Like Mr. Greatheart in the parable," spoke up Ruth, whose eyes had been taking stock of the proposed escort, though he stood in the penumbra and at half the room's length away. "Tatty--if my lord permit and Lieutenant Hanmer be willing--" She stood up, and with a curtsy to Sir Oliver, swept to the door. Miss Quiney pattered after; and Mr. Hanmer, with a bow and hand lifted to the salute, stalked out at their heels. "I'll warrant Jack Hanmer 'd liefer walk up to a gun," swore Captain Harry as the curtain fell behind them. "He bolts from the sight of Sally. I'll make Sally laugh over this." But here he pulled himself up and added beneath his voice, "I can't tell her, though."