ndred to one
that Jack is alive, in the first place, and equally unlikely that I
should stumble on him, even if he is. The captain does not think so, or
he would go out himself, or send out, I should think."

"As to that I do not know, but I do know that you ought to tell Margery;
at least, I know that I would, if I had made up my mind as you seem to
have done."

"You had better go, then, instead of me, if you think so favourably of
the little girl's wild scheme," said Stephen, in a sneering tone, which
somewhat tried Charley's temper.

"She has not asked me," he answered; "it would make them all very happy
if Jack was to be found, and I should think no trouble too great if I
could bring him back, that is all I say."

"Oh! you are very generous," sneered Stephen who would have been very
glad to please Margery if he could have done so without any risk or
trouble to himself.

There are a good many people in the world of similar character: the test
of love or friendship is the amount of self-sacrifice which a person is
ready to make for the object of his regard. Stephen had at length, at
Charley's instigation, to confess to Margery that he had no intention of
becoming a sailor for the sake of trying to find Jack. Her countenance
expressed as much scorn as its sweetness would allow, as she answered,
"Oh! I feared that you did not care for him, and am certain that you do
not care for me. Here is the book you were polite enough to lend me,
and I suppose that you will not very often come over to the Tower, as we
shall have no longer that subject to talk about."

Stephen could say nothing, but looked very sheepish, and soon afterwards
ordered his horse and rode homewards.

The next morning the family assembled in the breakfast-room for prayers;
but Margery, usually the first on foot, had not made her appearance.
She slept in a little room on the first floor, with a window looking out
over the sea; it was prettily papered, and had white dimity curtains,
and everything in it looked fresh and nice, like herself. Charley ran
up and knocked at the door, but got no answer; then Becky went to the
room, the door was not locked and her heart sank with an undefined alarm
when she found the room empty. She scarcely dared to return to the
breakfast-room to tell Captain and Mrs Askew, fearful of the effect the
announcement might have on her mistress. She hunted about the room.
The little girl had slept in the bed, but neithe