"About Marion?" Mrs. Ruthven looked somewhat surprised. "Yes. I saw her out again in a boat with that boy." "That boy? Do you mean Jack?" "Yes. I wonder you trust her to his care--after what happened at the wreck." "Why should I not? Jack understands how to manage a boat. Marion is safe with her brother." "But he is not her brother," cried St. John. "Not in blood, perhaps, but in affection. They have been brought up together as children of one family." "My dear Aunt Alice, do you think you have done wisely in encouraging this intimacy?" he said earnestly. "What can you mean?" she demanded. "Jack is fourteen years old and Marion is eighteen." "Of course. But you know nothing of the boy's parentage. He is an unknown waif, cast upon the shore in his infancy, very possibly of a low family." "No, you are wrong there. Remember, I saw his mother. Everything indicated her to be a lady. The child's clothing was of fine texture. But even if it were otherwise, he has endeared himself to me by his noble qualities. I regard him as a son." St. John shrugged his shoulders. "You look upon him with the eyes of affection. To me he seems----" "Well?" "A commonplace boy,--a mechanic's child, very possibly,--who is quite out of place among the Ruthvens." At this Mrs. Ruthven grew indignant. "You are prejudiced!" she cried. "I will not discuss the matter farther with you. I wish no one to speak to me against Jack. He is as dear to me as Marion herself." The young man drew a deep breath. "I am silenced, Aunt Alice. But I wish to speak to you about Marion. She is no longer a child, but a young lady." "Yes, she is now eighteen," answered Mrs. Ruthven slowly. "But to me she seems a child still." "Well--er--at what age did you marry, aunt?" "At eighteen." "Then, Aunt Alice, you cannot be surprised if I have thought of Marion as my future wife. I love her warmly and sincerely." At this abrupt declaration Mrs. Ruthven was considerably surprised. "Why, St. John, do you wish to marry that child?" she exclaimed. "Why not? She is eighteen." "Yes, but I had never thought of her as old enough to be married. Have you spoken to her?" "Yes," he returned slowly, and with a cloud on his face. "And what did she say?" "Nothing--that is, she was taken by surprise and did not wish to discuss the matter at present." Mrs. Ruthven drew a breath of relief. "She was sensible. Have you any reason to think that she loves you?" "I think she will soon. I am not conceited, Aunt Alice, but I think I have a good appearance and--I am a Ruthven." "You are much older than she, St. John." "I am, but a man of my age is still a young man." "I should not object if she loved you, but I have never seen any indications of it." "Will you let her know that you favor my suit?" At this Mrs. Ruthven shrugged her shoulders. "But I am not sure that I do," she returned slowly. "Have you heard anything to my discredit?" he demanded stiffly.