as that Major Norwood intended to have
a yacht built for his son, and would probably give the job to Ramsay &
Son.

"Well, Don John, you are a real lion," laughed Nellie Patterdale, when,
at last, the young boat-builder obtained a place at her side, which had
been the objective point with him since he entered the grounds.

"Better be a lion than a bear," replied Donald.

"Everybody says you have built a splendid yacht, and Maud is delighted
to have it named after her."

"I think the Sea Foam ought to have been called the Nellie," added
Donald.

"Pooh! I asked Ned to call her the Sea Foam."

"If I ever build a yacht on my own account, I shall certainly name her
the Nellie Patterdale," continued Donald, though the remark cost him a
terrible struggle.

"I thank you, Don John; but I hope you will never build one on your own
account, then," answered she, with a slight blush.

"Why, wouldn't you like to have a boat named after you?" asked he,
rather taken aback at her reply.

"I shouldn't like to have my whole name given to a boat. It is too
long."

"O, well! Then I shall call her the Nellie."

"You are too late, Don John," laughed Laud Cavendish, who was standing
within hearing distance, and who now stepped forward, raised his hat,
bowed, and smirked. "I have already ordered the painter to inscribe that
word on the bows and stern of the Juno, for I never liked her present
name."

Nellie blushed deeper than before, but it was with anger this time,
though she made no reply to Laud's impudent remark. At this moment Mr.
Rodman invited the party to gather around the tables and partake of the
collation.

"Will Miss Patterdale allow me to offer her my arm?" added Laud, as he
thrust his elbow up before her.

"No, I thank you," she replied, walking towards the tables, but keeping
at Donald's side.

The boat-builder had not the courage to offer her his arm, though some
of the sons of the nabobs had done so to the ladies; but he kept at her
side. Laud was desperate, for Nellie seemed to be the key of destiny to
him. If he could win her heart and hand, or even her hand without the
heart, his fortune would be made, and the wealth and social position of
which cruel fate had thus far robbed him would be obtained. Though she
snubbed him, he could not see it, and would not accept the situation. If
Donald had not been there, she would not have declined his offered arm;
and he regarded the boat-builder as the only obstacle