at a series of adventures we have both passed through since
that afternoon I first saw you in the Domain! Do you know that your
father has at last consented to our marriage?"

"I do. And as it is to you, Dick, I owe my rescue," she said, coming a
little closer to me, "he could do nothing else; you have a perfect right
to me."

"I have, and I mean to assert it!" I answered. "If I had not found you,
I should never have been happy again."

"But, Dick, there is one thing I don't at all understand. At dinner this
evening the captain addressed you as Sir Richard. What does that mean?"

"Why, of course you have not heard!" I cried. "Well, I think it means
that though I cannot make you a marchioness, I can make you a baronet's
wife. It remains with you to say whether you will be Lady Hatteras or
not." Then I explained how I had inherited the title and estates.

Her only reply was to kiss me softly on the cheek.

She had scarcely done so before her father and Beckenham came along the
deck.

"Now, Phyllis," said the former, leading her to a seat, "supposing you
give us the history of your adventures. Remember we have heard nothing
yet."

"Very well. Where shall I begin? At the moment I left the house for the
ball? Very good. Well, you must know that when I arrived at Government
House I met Mrs. Mayford--the lady who had promised to chaperone me--in
the cloak-room, and we passed into the ball-room together. I danced the
first dance with Captain Hackworth, one of the _aides_, and engaged
myself for the fourth to the Marquis of Beckenham."

"The sham Marquis, unfortunately," put in the real one.

"It proved to be unfortunate for me also," continued Phyllis. "As it was
a square we sat it out in the ante-room leading off the drawing-room,
and while we were there the young gentleman did me the honour of
proposing to me. It was terribly embarrassing for me, but I allowed him
to see, as unmistakably as possible, that I could give him no
encouragement, and, as the introduction to the next waltz started, we
parted the best of friends. About half an hour later, just as I was
going to dance the lancers, Mrs. Mayford came towards me and drew me
into the drawing-room. Mr. Baxter, his lordship's tutor, was with her,
and I noticed that they both looked supernaturally grave.

"'What is the matter?' I asked, becoming alarmed by her face.

"'My dear,' said she, 'you must be brave. I have come to tell you that
your father has been take