er noticed the
lapse of time, or, if he did, it was only that he might urge himself
to greater efforts.

It did not trouble him that Lord Lynne seldom wrote, and never came.
His salary was promptly paid, and Jan was one of the kind of men whom
good fortune loves. He did not worry over events. He did not keep
wondering what she was going to do for him, or wish night and day that
she would make haste with the next step in his behalf. He took
gratefully and happily the good he had, and enjoyed it to the utmost.

When a change came it was the first week in November. A lovely
afternoon had not tempted Jan from his books. Suddenly the cabin door
was darkened; he lifted his head, and saw Lord Lynne regarding him
with a face full of pleasure. He came rapidly forward and turned over
the volumes on the table with great interest. "I am glad to see these
books, Jan," he said, "Arithmetic, Geography, History, French--very
good, indeed! And your last letter delighted me. The writing was
excellent. Her Majesty's officers ought to be educated gentlemen; and
you are now one of them."

Jan looked up, with eager, inquiring face.

"Yes, sir; you are now Lieutenant Jan Vedder, of Her Majesty's
Schooner Retribution. You are to sail for the African coast within a
week. Jan, I congratulate you!"

Jan rose and put out both hands. The action was full of feeling. No
words could have been so eloquent. It was worth an hour of words, and
Lord Lynne so understood it.

"I called at the mail as I came through the town, here is a letter for
you. While you read it I will go through the yacht."

When he returned Jan was walking anxiously about with the letter in
his hand. "Has bad news come with the good, Jan?"

"I know not if it be bad or if it be good. Peter Fae hath married
again."

"Do you know the new wife?"

"Well I know her. She was ever a good friend to me, but my wife liked
her not."

"Is she young or old, pretty or otherwise?"

"Few women are so handsome, and she has not yet thirty years."

"Then it is likely Peter Fae has found a master?"

"That, too, is likely. Snorro says that he hath settled on her the
house in which he lives, with much money beside. Perhaps now my
Margaret will be poor. I can not think that she will live with Suneva.
What then will she do? I wish to see her very much."

"That you can not possibly do, Lieutenant Vedder. You will be under
orders in the morning. To leave your post now, would be desertion. I