"Oh, Kitty," cried the Marquess, with a change of tone, which made her woman's heart gentle to him, "I won't call it that name again, because it makes you angry; but tell me that you did not mean it seriously, for you know I have loved you three months past, and been waiting for the opportunity you have always fenced off with some jest or piece of mischief." "And could you not guess why, my lord?" "Why?" he echoed, sadly. "Because I knew I did not love you honestly, and, warmly as I liked you, I was waiting to see if I could love you. You may rely on it, that when I felt myself conquered, I should have thrown down my weapons and surrendered at discretion." "And can you not love me yet?" "Never now, my lord, more than a friend." "Why so suddenly?" "Why? Because events have been like runaway horses to-night. They have taken the bits between their teeth and dashed us over a precipice." "Against your will?" "Nay, not against my will; but it was a leap I might never have dared to take." "And you mean to marry him, Kitty?" "Yes, my lord; when he is a man." "And when will that be?" "I know not; but manhood comes quickly in these piping times, and lives are short," she added, with a little break in her voice. "And he goes to sea to-morrow?" "It is to-day," she answered, with a bigger break. "Then I am an ill friend to be keeping you from him," he said, his better nature asserting itself at the sight of the sorrow of the woman he loved so well. "Good-bye, Kitty," he said gravely, bowing to kiss her hand. "Good-bye, my lord. You are not angry with me?" "No; not with you. Not angry, but hurt, and heart-sick. You will be my friend still, little Lady Kitty?" "I am five feet six, Lord Dover. Is that tall enough to be the friend of a Marquess and the Lord Lieutenant of Kent?" "It is tall enough for my heart, Kitty." "You must not talk of your heart any more, or I shall not let you come and see me." "But I may come and see you still, and walk and ride with you still. How often may I come and see you?" "As often as you can bring me news of the fleet--Admiral Nelson's fleet." This account of the leave-taking from Lord Dover I had from Katherine, the day I had the honour of becoming her brother-in-law, through Will's sister Cecilia. But what took place at her leave-taking from her boy-lover I never had, for that is sacred to the girl and boy, who have the honour of being lovers still. CHAPTER I.--Of the finding of Lord Nelson's Journal. I was sitting with Will in the morning-room of his mansion of Eastry, which he had with Katherine, when one of his footmen came in to announce that a lady wished to speak to him very particularly. She refused to give her name, but she came on a matter of great importance connected with Lord Nelson, whose confidence Captain Hardres had enjoyed. It was, she told the footman, a very intimate personal matter in connection with his late Lordship.