For the preliminary stages in the making of love there is scarcely anything that is so delightful and convenient as a small boat just large enough for two. [Illustration: For the preliminary stages in the making of love there is scarcely anything that is so delightful ... as a boat just large enough for two] Emily sat aft in the seat of honor, holding the yoke-lines and steering the skiff. In front of, and facing, her was Revere, with the oars, which, impelled by his powerful arms, afforded the motive power that speeded the boat on her way. He had been well trained, of course, and he rowed with the skill of a practised oarsman, a long, steady man-o'-war stroke, quick on the recover, delicate in the feather, deep and strong in the pull, which sent the boat flying over the water. It was a sunny, delightful morning. The breeze blew soft over the harbor, and the water, rippling, bubbling, and lipping around the prow, made music suited indeed to words of love and beating hearts. Yet what they said was commonplace enough, after all. They did not say anything, in fact, for a few moments after they had pushed off from the little wharf. Revere was quite content to drink in the exquisite beauty of the young girl reclining in the stern-sheets before him. He marked the freshness and sweetness of her face, the graceful curves of her vigorous, yet lissome, young body, and her dainty feet--the admiral was too thorough an aristocrat not to see his granddaughter well booted--peeping out from beneath the hem of her cool, flowing muslin skirt before him. From under her quaint, old-fashioned bonnet--a species of poke in vogue a year or two before--her blue eyes fearlessly and happily returned the ardent and admiring glances of his own. Lest the silence should prove embarrassing to her, however, and noticing, at last, that she dropped her eyes before him, he said,-- "I'd give a penny for your thoughts, Miss Emily, if I thought the coin would prove the open sesame to your mind." "I was only thinking how beautifully you row, and wondering----" "Yes, wondering?" "How soon you had recovered from your accident, and how much better and stronger you seem than when I had to help you up the hill yesterday morning." He laughed at this clever thrust, rather shamefacedly, it must be admitted, and flushed at the same time, while he answered her. "I am afraid you will think me a great hypocrite," he admitted, contritely, realizing that he could lose nothing by frankness; "certainly, I am feeling very delightful--I mean, well and comfortable, now."