the story. I am not ashamed of my conduct, and I ought not to
feel ashamed of the truth being known."

There was logic and heroism in this closing sentence, though it did not
strictly correspond with the expression she had just now let fall as to
what the people would think. I surveyed her silently, and after a
little exclaimed:

"You are in the right. Let the truth be known. I shall give the
skipper the whole yarn that there may be no misunderstanding, for after
all we may have to stick to this ship for some days, and it would be
very unpleasant to find ourselves misjudged."

I gazed, as I spoke, through the windows of the saloon or cuddy front,
which overlooked the main-deck, where a number of steerage passengers
were standing in groups. The ship was before the wind; the great
main-course was hauled up to its yard, and I could see to as far as the
forecastle, with a fragment of bowsprit showing under the white arch of
the foresail; some sailors in coloured apparel were hauling upon a rope
hard by the foremast; a gleam of misty sunshine was pouring full upon
this window-framed picture, and crowded it with rich oceanic tints
softened by the ruled and swaying shadows of the rigging. An
extraordinary thought flashed into my head.

"By Jove! Grace, I wonder if there's a parson on board?"

"Why do you wonder?"

"If there is a parson on board he might be able to marry us."

She coloured, smiled, and looked grave all in a breath.

"A ship is not a church," said she, almost demurely.

"No," I answered, "but a parson's a parson wherever he is--he carries
with him the same appetite, the same clothes, the same powers, no
matter whither his steps conduct him."

She shook her head smiling, but her blush had faded, nor could her
smile disguise a look of alarm in her eyes.

"My darling," said I, "surely if there should be a clergyman on board,
you will not object to his marrying us? It would end all our troubles,
anxieties, misgivings--thrust Lady Amelia out of the question
altogether, save us from a tedious spell of waiting ashore."

"But the objections which hold good on shore hold good here," said she,
with her face averted.

"No, I can't see it," said I, talking so noisily out of the enthusiasm
the notion had raised in me that she looked round to say "Hush!" and
then turned her head again. "There must be a difference," said I,
sobering my voice, "between the marriage ceremony as performed on sea
and on s