Kate and Carmela sat in the stern of the boat; the former steering, while Carmela sat idly gazing at the gay throng on the river, her thoughts far away with Ronald Monteith. They passed Temple Court, embowered among trees, and had to take their turn in entering the lock, which gave Pat and Bubbles lots of opportunity to converse and chaff their friends. Indeed, it was really wonderful how many people these young men knew, and even Carmela smiled as she heard Pat's witty tongue running riot. At last they got into the lock, Bubbles skilfully piloting them; and, as the boat sank rapidly to the lower reach, several ladies in other boats shrieked, but were pacified when the water ceased to fall. "Begad, they're as bad as banshees!" said Pat; whereon he was once more told to hold his tongue by Bubbles, who was captain, and soon they were out again on the broad river, with the roar of the weir in their ears. "An' would ye like to tow down?" asked Pat, persuasively, of Kate. But that young lady declined, on the plea of heat, so Pat had to give up his idea of a flirtation on the towing-path, and work hard instead. "There's Bisham!" said Bubbles, as they passed the grey old abbey. "Where Shelley wrote his 'Revolt of Islam' floating in a boat under the beeches." "Begad, I hope he had a lady with him!" said Pat, gaily; "there's nothing stirs imagination like a pretty girl." "Your imagination is quite vivid enough already," said Carmela. "There's Marlow Church and Marlow Bridge," observed Bubbles, still in the character of guide book. "Where the bargees ate puppy pie," put in Ryan; "but here we are at Shaw's--shall we go on shore or stop in the boat?" Both ladies preferred to go on shore, so, after making the boat fast among all the other crafts, Pat and Bubbles put on their coats, and handed the ladies out. Sir Mark's boat was nowhere to be seen, whereupon Pat proposed to go over to the Anglers' Hotel, and see what was doing there. "I believe you want to drink," said Kate, severely, as they walked over the bridge. "And small shame to me," retorted the undaunted Pat; "haven't I rowed ye down under a blazing sun?" "I suppose you must be rewarded," said Carmela, with a smile; so Pat and Bubbles, nothing loth, went into the quaint inn, which bears the sign of the Anglers, and had two tankards of foaming beer. "Xerxes wanted a new pleasure," said Bubbles, when he had finished. "I'd have given him a thirsty day on the river with a pot of beer handy." Pat laughed at this, and they went out to join the ladies, who were seated under one of the big trees, talking to two men. "Hullo!" said Bubbles; "where did these Johnnies spring from?" But Pat did not hear him, as he was running towards the taller of the two, and was soon shaking him heartily by the hand. "My dear Ronald," he said, eagerly; "how are ye? I'm glad to have a look at ye again, and Foster, too. Oh, we are a happy family." But neither Carmela nor Ronald looked very happy.