the draped and cushioned capstan or in the friendly
gloom of a boat, which, in the name of safety, hangs taut between its
davits. Let this imitation Cleopatra use the Cleopatra's arts; this
mellow Romeo (sometime an Irish landlord) vow to this coy Juliet; this
Helen of Troy--Of all who walked these decks, mantled and wigged
in characters not their own, Mrs. Falchion was the handsomest, most
convincing. With a graceful swaying movement she passed along the
promenade, and even envy praised her. Her hand lay lightly on the arm
of a brown stalwart native of the Indian hills, fierce and savage
in attire. Against his wild picturesqueness and brawny strength, her
perfectness of animal beauty, curbed and rendered delicate by her inner
coldness, showed in fine contrast; and yet both were matched in the fine
natural prowess of form.

With a singular affirmation of what had been, after all, but
a sadly-humourous proposal, I had attired myself in a Greek
costume--quickly made by my steward, who had been a tailor--and was
about to leave my cabin, when Hungerford entered, and exclaimed, as he
took his pipe from his mouth in surprise: "Marmion, what does this
mean? Don't you know your duties better? No officer may appear at these
flare-ups in costume other than his uniform. You're the finest example
of suburban innocence and original sin I've seen this last quarter of
a century, wherein I've kept the world--and you--from tottering to
destruction." He reached for one of my cigars.

Without a word, and annoyed at my own stupidity, I slowly divested
myself of the clothes of Greece; while Hungerford smoked on, humming to
himself occasionally a few bars of The Buccaneer's Bride, but evidently
occupied with something in his mind. At length he said: "Marmion, I said
suburban innocence and original sin, but you've a grip on the law of
square and compass too. I'll say that for you, old chap--and I hope you
don't think I'm a miserable prig."

Still I replied nothing, but offered him one of my best cigars, taking
the other one from him, and held the match while he lighted it--which,
between men, is sufficient evidence of good-feeling. He understood, and
continued: "Of course you'll keep your eye on Mrs. Falchion and Madras
to-night: if he is determined that they shall meet, and you have
arranged it. I'd like to know how it goes before you turn in, if you
don't mind. And, I say, Marmion, ask Miss Treherne to keep a dance for
me--a waltz--towa