and lakes.

His business, however, was used as a cover to his real designs in life.
Influential in the local politics of Harrisville he had experienced the
keen pleasure of wielding the silver sceptre of power, and he longed not
only to be the "power behind the throne," but to sit on the throne itself
and guide the Ship of State.

Major Williams also was one of the "Hallena" party. He was young,
slender, and had a cheerful smile for everybody. He had climbed to the
presidency of the Harrisville Bank which had thousands of depositors, and
which wielded a gigantic financial power.

It was decided not to start for Genoa till the next morning. Dinner was
soon announced and Captain Hall offered his arm to Lucille, whom he
placed at his right hand, and Mrs. Harris at his left. The dinner hour
and part of the evening were spent in pleasant reminiscences of what
each had seen since leaving Harrisville. The marriage of George Ingram
and Gertrude was also a suggestive topic, and many agreeable things were
spoken. Captain Hall was present at the Paris wedding, and it was the
stately beauty of Lucille more than all else that prompted him to invite
the Harrises to take the Mediterranean cruise.

Some of the mothers of fine daughters in Harrisville had exhausted their
wits in trying to entrap Harry Hall, who was impartially attentive to
all, but was never known to pay marked attention to any young lady. That
Captain Hall should overlook the other women on the yacht, and place
Lucille at his right hand was so marked that Major Williams after dinner,
lighting his cigar, said, "Henley, why wouldn't Harry and Lucille make a
good match?" "Lucille is a beautiful girl," was all Henley said, and as
the lights of Nice disappeared, the "Hallena" party retired for the
night.

An early breakfast was ordered as everybody wished to be early on deck to
witness the yacht's departure for Genoa. As the "Hallena" responded to
her helm, the United States consul at Nice hoisted and lowered the flag
thrice, as a _bon voyage_ to the American yacht, and the consul queried
whether the American statesman was yet born who was wise enough to
introduce and maintain such a national policy as would multiply his
country's commerce and flag on the sea. Patriotic Americans stopping at
Monaco also responded with flag and gun, as the "Hallena" steamed swiftly
away.

The sun had reached the zenith, when Captain Hall sighted Genoa, and he
called Lucille to stand w