with such brutality that it excited the indignation of both
captain and passengers. Among the latter there was a young officer,
named Chadwick, whose pity for the forlorn girl grew into love. He
entreated her to marry him that he might have the right to protect her.
At last she consented, _and the marriage ceremony was performed during
the voyage by Captain Haviside, the captain of the ship_."

He replaced the pocket-book, took the reins from me, and we stared at
each other.

"Well," said I, bestowing an exultant nod upon him, "that looks
ship-shape enough, doesn't it? as Admiral Clements would have said."

"They were probably re-married," said he.

"That remains to be proved," I rejoined.

"It certainly shakes me in my views," he exclaimed. "Still, it seems
truly iniquitous that unconsecrated hands--such a person as a ship's
captain--should enjoy the privileges of a priest."

"He can christen."

"No!" he shouted.

This discussion was only terminated by our arrival at his house; the
most delightful little parsonage that can be imagined: a snug, green,
nestling box to the eye, yet quite equal to the requirements of the
large family which this mild and happy couple bade fair to encumber
themselves with. The church was within a short walk, an aged, ivy-clad
structure, with many noble trees round about it, and a yard full of
ancient, leaning indecipherable, memorial stones. Grace was awaiting
our arrival that she might drive with Sophie to Penzance on her
shopping errands. We embraced as though we had not met for years. I
said to her:

"Now you are satisfied that you are my wife?"

"No," she cried, holding up her left hand from which she had removed
the wedding-ring; then producing it from her pocket, she added, "Keep
it till you can put it on properly."

This damped me, and my face showed some annoyance. I honestly believed
her to be my wife, willing as I was that Frank should presently confirm
the ceremony that Captain Parsons had performed, and her removal of the
ring was a sort of shock to me, though, to be sure, my good sense told
me that if there was any virtue whatever in our shipboard union it was
not to be weakened by my carrying the ring instead of her wearing it.

She stood gazing at me in her loving, girlish way for a moment, then
observing disappointment, slipped her fingers into my waistcoat pocket,
pulled out the ring, and put it on again. I kissed her for that, and
though Frank shook