"We have a fine breeze for the race, Miss Patterdale," added Laud, smirking and jerking, as though he intended to improve the glorious opportunity, for the young lady was not only bewitchingly pretty, but her father was a nabob, with only two children. "Very fine, I should think," she answered; and her tones and manner were anything but encouraging to the aspirant. "I hope you are going to honor the gallant yachtmen with your presence, Miss Patterdale." "I shall certainly see the race.--Good morning, Don John," said she, when she came within speaking distance of Donald. "Good morning, Nellie," replied he, blushing, as he felt the full force of her glance and her smile--a glance and a smile for which Laud would have sacrificed all he held dear in the world, even to his cherished mustache. "Don't you attend the race?" "Yes, I want to attend now. Ned invited me to go on board of the judge's boat; but the sun was out then, and mother would not let me go. Father said the day would be cloudy, and I decided to go; but Ned had gone. I came down here to see if I couldn't hail him. Won't you take me off to the Penobscot in your boat?" "Certainly I will, with the greatest pleasure," replied Donald, with enthusiasm. "I beg your pardon, Miss Patterdale," interposed Laud. "I am going off in the Juno; allow me to tender her for your use. I can take you off, Don John, at the same time." "It's quite rough; as you see, Nellie, and the Juno is much larger than my boat. You can go in her more comfortably than in mine," added Donald. "Thank you; just as you please, Don John," she answered. "Bring her up to the wharf, Mr. Cavendish," continued Donald. Laud leaped into his skiff, and pulled off to the Juno, while Nellie and Donald walked around to the wharf. In a few moments the boat was ready, and came up to the pier, though her clumsy skipper was so excited at the prospect of having the nabob's pretty daughter in his boat, that he had nearly smashed her against the timbers. The gallant skipper bowed, and smirked, and smiled, as he assisted Miss Patterdale to a place in the standing-room. Donald shoved off the bow, and the Juno filled her mainsail, and went off flying towards the Penobscot. "It's a smashing breeze," said Donald, as the boat heeled down. "Glorious!" exclaimed Laud. "Are you fond of sailing, Miss Patterdale?" "I am very fond of it." "Perhaps you would like to sail around the course in one of the yachts?" suggested the skipper. "I should be delighted to do so," she replied, eagerly; and she glanced at Donald, as if to ascertain if such a thing were possible. "I should be pleased to have you sail in the Juno," added Laud, with an extra smirk. "Thank you, Mr. Cavendish; you are very kind; but perhaps I had better not go." "I should be delighted to have you go with me." "I don't think you would enjoy it, Nellie," said Donald. "It blows fresh, and the Juno is rather wet in a heavy sea."