n, that the
master of a vessel may not only legally marry a couple, but may legally
christen their infants, sir; and then legally bury the lot of them, if
they should die."

CHAPTER XI

GRACE CONSENTS

I found Grace seated at the table between Mrs. Barstow and Miss
Moggadore. Mrs. Barstow bestowed a smile upon me, but Miss Moggadore's
thin lips did not part, and there was something very austere and acid
in the gaze she fastened upon my face. The saloon was now in full
blaze, and presented a very fine, sparkling appearance indeed. The
motion of the ship was so quiet that the swing of the radiant lamps was
hardly noticeable. Some eight or ten of the passengers were scattered
about, a couple at chess, another reading, a third leaning back with
his eyes fixed on a lamp, and so on. It was of an ebony blackness in
the windows overlooking the main deck, though, as the door was opened
and shut by the coming and going of stewards, there would enter a low,
growling hum of conversation, with the scent of coarse tobacco; and now
and again, a noise as of a concertina played forward on the forecastle.

I leaned over the back of my darling's chair, and addressed some
commonplaces to her and to the two ladies, intending presently to
withdraw her, that I might have a long talk, but after a minute or two
Mrs. Barstow rose and went to her cabin, a hint that Miss Moggadore was
good enough to take. I seated myself in that lady's chair at Grace's
side.

"Well, my pet, and what have they been talking to you about?"

"They have been urging me to marry you to-morrow morning, Herbert," she
answered, with a smile that was half a pout and a blush that did not
signify so much embarrassment but that she could look at me.

"I am fresh from a long talk with the captain," said I, "and he has
been urging me to do the same thing."

"It is ridiculous," said she, holding down her head; "there is no
clergyman in the ship."

"But the captain of a vessel may act as a clergyman under the
circumstances," said I.

"I don't believe it, Herbert."

"But see here, Grace," said I, speaking earnestly but softly, for there
were ears not far distant, "it is not likely that we should regard the
captain's celebration of our marriage here as more than something that
will strengthen our hands for the struggle with your aunt. Until we
have been joined by a clergyman in proper shipshape fashion, as Captain
Parsons himself might say, we shall not be