gly woman
who looks at you. Strain at a gnat, Catherine, and swallow a camel. It's
only a question of time. Sooner or later you will be a Widow. Here's the
waiter again. What does the man want now?"

The waiter answered by announcing:

"Captain Bennydeck."

Catherine's mother was nearer to the door than Catherine; she attracted
the Captain's attention first. He addressed his apologies to her. "Pray
excuse me for disturbing you--"

Mrs. Presty had an eye for a handsome man, irrespective of what his age
might be. In the language of the conjurors a "magic change" appeared in
her; she became brightly agreeable in a moment.

"Oh, Captain Bennydeck, you mustn't make excuses for coming into your
own room!"

Captain Bennydeck went on with his excuses, nevertheless. "The landlady
tells me that I have unluckily missed seeing Mr. Randal Linley, and that
he has left a message for me. I shouldn't otherwise have ventured--"

Mrs. Presty stopped him once more. The Captain's claim to the Captain's
rooms was the principle on which she took her stand. She revived the
irresistible smiles which had conquered Mr. Norman and Mr. Presty. "No
ceremony, I beg and pray! You are at home here--take the easy-chair!"

Catherine advanced a few steps; it was time to stop her mother, if the
thing could be done. She felt just embarrassment enough to heighten her
color, and to show her beauty to the greatest advantage. It literally
staggered the Captain, the moment he looked at her. His customary
composure, as a well-bred man, deserted him; he bowed confusedly; he had
not a word to say. Mrs. Presty seized her opportunity, and introduced
them to each other. "My daughter Mrs. Norman--Captain Bennydeck."
Compassionating him under the impression that he was a shy man,
Catherine tried to set him at his ease. "I am indeed glad to have an
opportunity of thanking you," she said, inviting him by a gesture to be
seated. "In this delightful air, I have recovered my health, and I owe
it to your kindness."

The Captain regained his self-possession. Expressions of gratitude had
been addressed to him which, in his modest estimate of himself, he could
not feel that he had deserved.

"You little know," he replied, "under what interested motives I have
acted. When I established myself in this hotel, I was fairly driven out
of my yacht by a guest who went sailing with me."

Mrs. Presty became deeply interested. "Dear me, what did he do?"

Captain Bennydeck a