There was a touch of earnestness in his voice and in the simplicity of the phrase, that made Miss Beresford regard him for a second with almost wondering eyes. She had never seen, for her part, anything about Sir George Stratherne to be enthusiastic about. However, she had to continue the conversation unaided, for her mother was too languid. Beauty had got into an effective position, and was content to be silent, while the Baby was useless. So she said with a smile, 'I hope Sir George won't have to find fault with you for bringing your ship into these shallow waters. Tom--my brother Tom, you know--is very anxious about it. I think he would like to give you his advice.' 'I should be glad to have it,' said Lieutenant King, with befitting gravity, 'but I do not think we are in any great danger. And how is your brother?' 'Oh, very well; I mean very ill. Worse than ever. I wish you could take him with you for a cruise or two.' 'As they used to take a cask of raw Madeira,' said he, laughing heartily, 'to fine down? Well, you're right about one thing; there's some good stuff in the lad. He might fine down to something good. But he is not in proper guidance.' 'He is in no guidance at all,' sighed his mother. 'Is he going abroad with you?' 'Not he,' said Miss Beresford. 'He wouldn't be bothered with us girls. He will see us as far as Newhaven, perhaps, and make brutal jokes all the way about the Channel.' 'You are going soon, then?' said he. Somehow there was a kind of constraint about this young lieutenant's manner. He seemed to be thinking of something or some one else. His remarks and questions were of the most conventional sort. 'On the 1st of September I think we shall be ready to start.' 'And are you going far?' he said, in the same preoccupied way. 'To Lucerne, first, I imagine; and then over the Splugen, when it is cool enough to go into Italy.' 'Oh, indeed!' said he. And then he added, after a pause, 'Oh, indeed!' Then he rose. 'I see my man has got back,' he said. 'I am sorry, Lady Beresford, I cannot ask you to bring your daughters to look over the ship; we must be off directly. Some other time, perhaps. It would give me very great pleasure, indeed. I hope, Miss Beresford, you will have a pleasant journey. I have been thinking of going abroad myself this autumn if I can get sufficient leave. Will you remember me to your brother Tom?' He bade them good-bye, and left. They were silent until they saw him cross over the King's Road. Then the business of criticism began. 'He doesn't talk like a sailor at all,' said the Baby, with a pout. 'He talks just like anybody.' 'At all events he is very good-looking,' said Beauty, warmly. 'He has the loveliest eyes I ever saw in a man. And his hands--did you notice his gloves?'