go very plain and real. The billows
are as foaming as they always are in great storms, and you can almost
see them moving about. I can tell you, Grace, that it made me tremble
when I looked at it to think that you and father had been in such
dreadful danger."

"I suppose you often hear Grace spoken of in Newcastle, Robert?"
inquired Mr. Darling.

"Yes, very often; and most flattering things people say. Really,
sometimes she is spoken of as if she were more than human; and father,
too, comes in for a good share of praise and admiration. I often
listen to what is said when the speakers little know that I belong to
them."

"Do you not make yourself known?"

"No; I prefer to remain in obscurity when I can, though I am proud to
be a Darling."

There was one subject about which all the sisters were particularly
curious. They wanted to know whether Grace intended to marry, and
whom; and whenever they were alone with her, they plied her with
questions that very greatly amused her.

"Do you mean to say, Grace, that you have passed through all this
without having your heart touched by any man?"

"I have no doubt," said Mary Ann, "that when Grace marries, it will be
into a higher sphere than that which we fill. She will marry a
gentleman; see if she does not."

Grace laughed heartily at this prophecy of her fond sister; and the
laughter rather nettled Mary Ann.

"I see nothing to laugh at, Grace," she said; "and why do you mock me?
I do not see that any position can be too high for you to fill, nor any
man too good for you to have."

"You are very kind," said Grace, still merrily. "I do not want to
offend you; please excuse me; but I cannot help laughing, though I
thank you for your wishes. You think more highly of me than I deserve;
and I am sure your great and romantic expectations will never be
realised. Why, even if a gentleman asked me, I should have to say No
to him; for only think what a poor figure I should cut as a rich lady.
I have lived in a lighthouse all my life, while ladies are sent to
boarding-schools, and are trained in all the refinements that are
natural to their station. I should be always making mistakes, and
bringing upon myself shame and confusion, if I were raised to any high
position in society. I should deserve to share the fate of the ladies
in 'Blue Beard,' if I did anything so foolish. But I never shall. I
should not be happy in such a marriage. There ought to be similarity