"I should like to come out on the lake and make some sketches," said Julia. "I have hitherto had no one to row the boat, and Algernon can seldom be tempted on the water; indeed, he is not much of an oarsman." Captain Headland expressed the pleasure it would give him to be of service in that capacity, and Julia said she should be glad to take advantage of his offer. At length they reached the end of the lake and entered the Serpentine. There was just room to row the boat along between the grassy banks. Here and there the trees overhung the channel, and sometimes they had to bend down to avoid the branches. They had nearly reached the end where there were some stone steps with a gravel walk above them, leading directly to the house, and a rustic bridge spanning the stream. The old general who had taken post on the bridge, and had been for some time watching their approach, hailed them. "Hilloa! gallant son of Neptune, I congratulate you on discovering our missing Ariadne who was to have been our guide through the labyrinthine walks of Texford. Fortunately we missed our way, and found ourselves close to the house just as the storm came on." "I must apologise, General Sampson, for leaving you and our other friends; but we had got to some distance before we discovered that you were not following," said Julia, somewhat annoyed at the general's remarks. "The truth is, my dear young lady, it is we who have to apologise to you for not keeping pace with your fairy-like movements, and fearing that Sir Ralph and Lady Castleton might justly blame me as the senior of the party for deserting you, I hurried out as soon as the rain ceased in the hopes of finding you before you reached the house, to entreat you to offer some excuse for my conduct. But I suspect the captain is chiefly to blame, and if you will enter into a compact with me we will sacrifice him." "I am ready to be the victim should Miss Castleton consider any excuse necessary," said Captain Headland, as he handed Julia out of the boat, while the old general stood on the top of the steps. They walked together to the house, the latter talking in the same style as before. Julia ran in, glad to escape him. "You will be a lucky dog, captain, if you succeed in securing so fair a prize," whispered the general, giving the young officer a not very gentle dig in the ribs. "I have entertained some thoughts in that direction myself, but I see that a soldier has no chance with a naval man as his rival." "Really, general, you allow your imagination to go too fast. I am a comparative stranger to Miss Castleton, and have no merit which could justify me in hoping--" "Of course, of course, my young friend we must all feel our personal want of merit when a lady is concerned. Nevertheless she may possibly regard you in a more favourable light than you suppose, from the reports we have heard of your gallant deeds." CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE. MAY'S GUARDIANS.