ve so far as I was concerned. But really I'm
not such a bad sort now-a-days, am I, Mrs. Bolton?"

Maud smiled upon him. "Not so bad, I think. But please don't ask me to be
your sponsor! I really couldn't play the part."

"Ask me!" said Toby suddenly, with flushed face up-raised. "He saved my
life when _The Night Moth_ went down, when most men would only have
bothered to save their own."

"What a libel!" laughed Saltash. "Don't you know I only hung on to you
because you had a life-belt on!"

"Oh, naturally!" said the General. "That would be your motive. I was
sorry to hear about _The Night Moth_, but you had a lucky escape."

"I always escape somehow," remarked Saltash complacently. "_The Night
Moth_ wanted new engines too, that's one consolation. I've just bought
another," he added, suddenly touching Toby's shoulder. "Your daddy is
quite pleased with her. We've just come round from London in her."

"Oh, have you?" Eagerly Toby's eyes came up to his, "What is she like?
What are you going to call her?"

"She isn't christened yet. I'm going to hold a reception on board, and
Maud shall perform the ceremony. I'm calling her _The Blue Moon_--unless
you can suggest something better." Saltash's restless look went to Maud.
"I wanted to call her after you," he said lightly, "But I was afraid Jake
might object."

"I think _The Blue Moon_ is much more suitable," she answered. "Is she as
rare as she sounds?"

"She's rather a fine article," he made answer. "You must come and see
her--come and cruise in her if you will. She's only just off the slips. I
was lucky to get her. She skims along like a bird."

"Why not call her _The Blue Bird_?" suggested Sheila.

He shook his head with his odd grimace. "That is a thing I can never hope
to possess, Miss Melrose. The blue moon may occur once in my life if I am
exceptionally virtuous, but the blue bird never. I have ceased to hope
for it." His glance flashed beyond her. "Young Bunny is distinguishing
himself to-day. That was a fine effort."

Everyone was clapping except Toby who was staring before her with her
hands in her lap. Her blue eyes were very wide open, but they did not
seem to be watching the game.

"It will fly to you, _cherie_," suddenly whispered a voice in her ear.
"It is already upon the wing."

A little tremor went through her, but she did not turn her head. Only
after a moment she slipped a hand behind her through the back of her
chair.

Wiry fingers closed