"Oh, yes; I think she has done something in it. Do the girls know?" "No, sir; not yet," said Stratton hastily. "I felt that it was my duty to come to you first." "Eh? Very good of you, I'm sure. I'll send for them. They'll be delighted." He rose to ring, but Stratton interposed. "Not yet, sir, please," he cried; "I have something else to say." "Wants to borrow a hundred for his outfit," thought the admiral. "Well, I like the fellow; he shall have it. Now, my lad," he said aloud as he resumed his seat. "What is it?" Stratton hesitated for a few moments, and then hurriedly: "I have met Miss Myra Jerrold and Miss Perrin frequently at their aunt's, Sir Mark, and to a great extent you have made me free of your house. You will grant, I hope, that feelings such as have grown up in me were quite natural. It was impossible for me to be in their society without forming an attachment, but I give you my word, sir, as a man, that never by word or look have I trespassed upon the kindness you have accorded me; and had I remained poor, as I believed myself yesterday, I should never have uttered a word." "Humph!" ejaculated the admiral, gazing at him sternly. "But now that I do know my position, my first step is to come to you and explain." "And the young lady? You have not spoken to her on the subject?" "Never, Sir Mark, I swear." "A gentleman's word is enough, sir. Well, I will not profess ignorance. My sister did once drop me a kind of hint about my duties, and I have noticed a little thing now and then." "You have noticed, sir?" cried Stratton, looking startled. "Oh, yes," said the admiral, smiling. "I'm not an observant man over such matters; in fact, I woke up only three months ago to find how blind I could be; but in your case I did have a few suspicions; for you young men are very transparent." "Really, Sir Mark, I assure you," faltered Stratton, "I have been most guarded." "Of course you have, my lad. Well, I am a poor pilot in love matters, but I don't see here why we should not go straight ahead. You are both young and suitable for each other. Rebecca swears by you, and I confess that I rather like you when you are not so confoundedly learned." "Sir Mark!" cried Stratton, his voice husky with emotion, "in my wildest moments I never thought--" "That I should be such an easy-going fellow, eh? But we are running too fast, boy. There is the young lady to think about." "Of course--of course, sir." "Not the custom to consult the ship about her captain, but we will here," cried Sir Mark with a laugh; "they generally appoint the captain right off. We'll have her down, bless her. A good girl, Stratton, and I congratulate you." "But one moment, sir," faltered the young man; "is it kind--so suddenly--give me leave to speak to her first." "No," said the old sailor abruptly; "she shall come down, and it shall be _yes_ or _no_ right off."