“There’s nothing of the blue-stocking about her,” said the captain, warmly. “In fact, I shouldn’t be surprised if she became engaged soon.” Mr. Vyner became interested. “Oh!” he said, with an instinctive glance over his left shoulder. Captain Trimblett nodded sagely. “Young fellow of the name of Saunders,” he said slowly. “Oh!” said the other again. “You might have seen him at Wilson’s, the ship-broker’s,” pursued the captain. “Bert Saunders his name is. Rather a dressy youngster, perhaps. Generally wears a pink shirt and a very high stand-up collar—one o’ those collars that you have to get used to.” Mr. Vyner nodded. “He’s not good enough for her,” said the captain, shaking his head. “But then, nobody is. Looked at that way it’s all right.” “You seem to take a great interest in it,” said Robert. “He came to me with his troubles,” said Captain Trimblett, bunching up his gray beard in his hand reflectively. “Leastways, he made a remark or two which I took up. Acting under my advice he is taking up gardening.” Mr. Vyner glanced at him in mystification. “Hartley is a great gardener,” explained the other with a satisfied smile. “What is the result? He can go there when he likes, so to speak. No awkwardness or anything of that sort. He can turn up there bold as brass to borrow a trowel, and take three or four hours doing it.” “You’re a danger to society,” said Robert, shaking his head. “People ought to marry while they’re young,” said the captain. “If they don’t, like as not they’re crazy to marry in their old age. There’s my landlord here at Tranquil Vale, fifty-two next birthday, and over his ears in love. He has got it about as bad as a man can have it.” “And the lady?” inquired Robert. “She’s all right,” said the captain. He lowered his voice confidentially. “It’s Peter’s sister, that’s the trouble. He’s afraid to let her know. All we can do is to drop a little hint here and a little hint there, so as to prepare her for the news when it’s broken to her.” “Is she married?” inquired Robert, pausing as they reached the office. “No,” said Captain Trimblett; “widow.” Mr. Vyner gave a low whistle. “When do you sail, cap’n?” he inquired, in a voice oily with solicitude. “Soon as my engine-room repairs are finished, I suppose,” said the other, staring. “And you—you are giving her hints about courtship and marriage?” inquired Mr. Vyner, in tones of carefully-modulated surprise. “She’s a sensible woman,” said the captain, reddening, “and she’s no more likely to marry again than I am.” “Just what I was thinking,” said Mr. Vyner. He shook his head, and, apparently deep in thought, turned and walked slowly up the stairs. He was pleased to notice as he reached the first landing that the captain was still standing where he had left him, staring up the stairs. CHAPTER III