a secret!"

"And with a young man? that is very naughty, miss."

"Oh, mamma, you will know it to-morrow."

"What if I wanted to know it to-night?"

"Then, mamma, if you insisted--that is--absolutely--"

"No, no, child, I shall wait till to-morrow; keep it till then--if you
can."

"Sophia dear," said Mary to her sister, when their two heads,
enveloped in snowy caps with an embroidered fringe, were reclining
together on the same pillow, "you know I have always shared my
_bon-bons_ with you."

"Yes, sister."

"In that case, make me a partner in your secret."

"Will you promise not to speak of it?"

"Yes, I promise."

"To no one?"

"To no one."

"Not even to the paroquette Fritz gave you?"

"No, not even to my paroquette."

"Well, it is very likely I shall speak about it in my dreams--you
listen and find it out."

"Slyboots!"

"Curiosity!"

Like those delicate flowers that shrink when they are touched, each
then turned to her own side; but it would have cost both too much not
to have fallen asleep as usual, with their arms round each other's
necks;--consequently this tiff soon blew over, and, after a prolonged
chat, their lips finally joined in the concluding "Good-night."

CHAPTER VI.

THE QUEEN'S DOLL--ROCKHOUSE TO FALCON'S NEST--THE
WIND--GLASSES--ADMIRAL HOMER--THE THREE FROGS--OAT JELLY--ESQUIMAUX
ASTRONOMY--AN UNKNOWN.

Next morning, Sophia came running in with a sealed letter in her hand,
which she opened and read as follows:--

"HEAD QUARTERS, SAFETY BAY, DAYBREAK.

"The Admiral commanding the Fleet stationed in Safety Bay to her
Most gracious Majesty Sophia, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland.

"May it please your Majesty,

"The crews of your Majesty's yachts, the _Elizabeth_ and the
_Morse_, are quite entire and in perfect health. The enemy having
kept at a respectful distance, we have not had as yet an
opportunity of proving our courage and devotion. Mr. Midshipman
Jack fell asleep on the carriage of a four-pounder, like Marshal
Turenne before his first battle; but, in all other respects, the
conduct of the officers has been most exemplary, and merits the
utmost commendation.

"It is the admiral's intention to push out a reconnaissance
towards the east, in the direction of Pearl Bay, which he has not
yet explored. If, however, your Majesty should regard this
expedition as likely to interfere with the goo