"My dear," she said, "how can I thank you for saving my boy's life? Why, I cannot believe that you did it! You do not look--you are so--forgive an old woman--so daintily beautiful, I don't understand where you got the strength to----" "She did it, though, mother," interrupted Richard, joyfully, delighted at the turn of affairs. "And she did it well," added the admiral, proudly; "no one could have done it better." "It was nothing, madam," said Emily, blushing at these tributes; "I mean--Captain Barry did the most of it--did it all, in fact. I only steered the boat and held on to--Mr. Revere. Anybody could have done it." "Nobody but you did, though," said Richard, promptly; "and if you had not been here, Miss Emily, I should have ended all my cruising then." "I think it was a most splendid action, Miss Sanford," said Josephine, warmly, "and as an old friend of Richard I want to thank you, too." "And this Captain Barry of whom you spoke," asked Mrs. Revere. "Where is he? I should like to thank him also. Who is he?" "Just a common sailor, madam, a bo's'n's mate, long attached to my fortunes, and his father before him. Worthy men, both," answered the admiral. "He has been busy with the ship all day, but you will see him presently, doubtless. He has been trying to patch the old hulk up so that it may last a little longer. He watches over it as he watches over me--and my granddaughter. I sometimes think the ship and he and I will go together, and I have been greatly anxious as to what would become of this child then." Mrs. Revere was not given to impulsive action. She was generally very self-contained, and usually carefully considered what she said before she spoke, but on this occasion she answered instantly,-- "Your granddaughter will never want a friend so long as I live, admiral, and I shall be happy, indeed, if I can repay some of the debt I owe her for Richard in that way." "Mother," said Richard, "I have something to say to you. Admiral, you will pardon me if I ask Miss Emily to take Miss Josephine into the house for a few moments? No, sir; don't you go, please," he continued, as the admiral made a motion to rise; "I want you to hear, too." "Certainly, certainly, my lad. Emily, show Miss Remington the treasures of your room, the model of the _Susquehanna_----" "And the sword of the _Constitution_," interrupted Richard; "that is the rarest treasure of them all." "Come, then, Miss Remington," said Emily, extending her hand to Josephine, "since we are dismissed." Josephine instantly divined the meaning of Richard's request. She shot a glance at him of mingled amusement and annoyance, and found time to whisper as she passed him standing by the door, which he had opened for them,-- "You do love her, then? Traitor! Well, I do not wonder."