"Rank extravagance! And didn't you know more about the tastes of babies than that, my dear fellow? A rattle would have been a more appropriate and pleasing selection. You know what the poet says: "'Pleased with a rattle, Tickled with a straw.'" "Yes, I remembered that just as I came aboard, and I was so vexed at my foolish bouquet that I tossed it overboard," Lancaster replied, with the utmost coolness. He sat down, lighted a weed, and leaning over the rail, watched the deep, white furrows cut in the heaving sea by the bounding ship. His thoughts reverted provokingly to Leonora West. "What is she doing? Will she come on deck this evening? Did she think I would not call for her, or did she come down first with malice prepense?" he asked himself, one question after another revolving busily through his brain. Lieutenant De Vere's gay voice jarred suddenly on his musings: "Tell you what, old fellow, you missed something by not coming aboard with me. I formed a charming acquaintance this afternoon." "Eh, what?"--the captain roused himself with a start. "I formed a charming acquaintance on board ship this afternoon. Prettiest girl in America--England, either, I should say." A swift suspicion darted into Lancaster's mind. "Ah, indeed?" he said. "What is the divinity's name?" "I have not found out yet," confessed the lieutenant. "Ah! then your boasted acquaintance did not progress very far," chaffingly. "No; but I rely on time to develop it. We shall be on board steamer ten days together. I shall certainly find out my fair unknown in all that time," confidently. Lancaster frowned slightly with that lurking suspicion yet in his mind. "Oh, you needn't look so indifferent!" cried De Vere. "You would have lost your head over her, too, old man. Such a face, such a voice, such an enchanting glance from the sweetest eyes ever seen!" "And such a goddess deigned to speak to you?" sarcastically. "Yes. Shall I tell you all about it? I'm dying to talk to some one about her!" "Don't die, then. I would rather be bored with your story than have to carry your corpse home to the regiment." "It was this way, then: I was _ennuyé_ at the hotel, so I came on board early with my traps--as early as one o'clock. It was about two, I think, when she came--lady and gentleman with her." "Oh!" "Yes, and shawls--bags, books, bouquets--the three B's--_ad infinitum_. She had a dark veil over her face. Her friends bade her good-bye--lady kissed her with enthusiasm--then they gave her the shawls and three B's they had helped carry, and went away." "Who went away?" "The lady and gentleman went away. If you had been listening half-way to my story, Lancaster, you would have understood what I said." "Don't be offended. I am giving you my strictest attention. Go on, please."