“But, Mr. Hatterly,” persisted Mrs. Billington, “when did you receive this assurance of my daughter’s feelings? You tell me that you spoke to her on this subject only the night before last, and I am sure she has hardly been out of my sight since.” “Yesterday,” said Jack, in his calmest and most assured tone; “on the boat, coming home, during the squall.” MISS BILLINGTON (_behind the door, aside_).--“The shameless wretch! Why, he doesn’t seem even to _know_ that he’s lying!” “But, Mr. Hatterly,” exclaimed Mrs. Billington; “during the squall we were all in the cabin, and you were outside, steering!” “Certainly,” said Jack. “Then--excuse me, Mr. Hatterly--but how could my daughter have conveyed any such intelligence to you?” MISS BILLINGTON (_as before_).--“What _is_ the man going to say now? He must be perfectly crazy!” Mr. Hatterly was calm and imperturbed. “My dear Mrs. Billington,” he responded, “you may or may not have observed a small heart-shaped aperture in each door or hatch of the cabin, exactly opposite the steersman’s seat. It was through one of these apertures that your daughter communicated with me. Very appropriate shape, I must say, although their purpose is simply that of ventilation.” “It was very little ventilation we had in that awful place, Mr. Hatterly!” interjected Mrs. Billington, remembering those hours of horror. [Illustration] “Very little, indeed, my dear Mrs. Billington,” replied Mr. Hatterly, in an apologetic tone; “and I am afraid your daughter and I, between us, were responsible for some of your discomfort. She had her hand through the port ventilator about half the time.” MISS BILLINGTON (_as before_).--“I wonder the man isn’t struck dead, sitting there! Of all the wicked, heartless falsehoods I ever heard--!” “And may I ask, Mr. Hatterly,” inquired Mrs. Billington, “what my daughter’s hand was doing through the ventilator?” “Pressing mine, God bless her!” responded Mr. Hatterly, unabashed. MISS BILLINGTON, (_as before, but conscious of a sudden, hideous chill_).--“Good heavens! the man can’t be lying; he’s simply mistaken.”