Maurice, too, was in England then; he was well, but could not leave the ship for more than twenty-four hours, so for the present he must content himself with seeing Sybil in London. It was possible that the steamer might be paid off; “and if so,” said Captain Hepburn, “I should be free for the present; perhaps it might be months before I should be employed again, perhaps years, and in that case, Hilary――” his eyes finished the sentence which his words left incomplete, as he stooped his head to take a view of the pretty blushing face, which was trying to conceal the feelings it could not suppress, and drooping so gracefully close beside him. “You all seem very glad to have the captain with you again,” said Mr. Ufford, laughingly to Gwyneth, during his usual forenoon visit. Hilary was in the garden with her lover. “He is a great favorite, apparently. I affronted Miss Nest just now grievously by saying that I did not think him the nicest man in the world; not so pleasant for instance as Charles Huyton.” “Nest loves him dearly,” replied Gwyneth, “and it is natural she should, for you know he saved her life in the water.” “If that sort of obligation were always productive of dear love,” replied he, “my friend Huyton would occupy the place just now filled by Captain Hepburn there.” “Perhaps he might have, had he wished it,” said Gwyneth, innocently. “But Hilary was not likely to bestow it even from gratitude, if he did not ask for it himself.” “_If!_” exclaimed Mr. Ufford, amazed. “Is it possible that you, Miss Gwyneth, can be ignorant of his wishes, and his disappointment? I thought those sort of triumphs were always boasted of between young ladies with peculiar delight.” “I can imagine no delight in disappointing an amiable man, nor any triumph in pleasing a bad one,” was Gwyneth’s answer. “So in any case there could be nothing to boast of.” “And did she never tell you?” added he, curiously looking at her. “No! and if there was any thing to tell, the same delicacy which prevented her naming it must prevent me from discussing it. At the same time I think it must long have ceased if there ever was any attachment. Hilary has been engaged these two years, and Mr. Huyton apparently has attached himself to Miss Barham since that!” “Miss Barham!” repeated Mr. Ufford, with a curl of his lip; but he did not finish the sentence.