feet."

"You mean," cried the admiral hotly, "that you want the wedding hurried
on?"

"To be plain, Sir Mark, I do. In a month from now. I must go by the
next mail boat but one."

"It is impossible, sir!" cried Sir Mark.

Barron shook his head and the admiral changed his position in his chair.

"But Myra?" he cried. "Oh, she would never consent to its being so
soon."

"I believe our dear Myra would, in the sweetness of her disposition
alone, consent, Sir Mark," said Barron gravely; "and as soon as she
knows of the vital importance of time to the man who will be her
husband, she will endeavour to meet his wishes in every way."

"Yes, yes; she is a dear, good girl," said Sir Mark; "but this is
terrible: so soon."

"The time for parting must come, Sir Mark, sooner or later; and think:
it is for her benefit and happiness. Well, yes, I must confess to my
own selfish wishes."

"And then there is her aunt--my sister. She would never consent to--
Yes, I know exactly what she would say--such indecent haste."

"Only an elderly lady's objection, Sir Mark," said Barron, smiling.
"You are certainly bringing forward a real difficulty now, for I fear
that I have never found favour in Miss Jerrold's eyes. But surely she
has no right to dictate in a case like this. Nay, let us have no
opposition. I will appeal to Miss Jerrold myself. She is too
high-minded and sweet a lady to stand in the way of her niece's and my
happiness. I am satisfied of that. Come, Sir Mark, look at the case
plainly. You have been a sailor, sir, and know the meaning of sudden
orders to join. Nothing would stop you. Mine are not so sudden, for I
have--that is, at all risks, I will have--a month. My fortune is at
stake--Myra's fortune, I may say. Help me as you feel the case
deserves."

The admiral was silent for a few minutes, during which he filled and
emptied his claret glass twice.

"You've floored me, Barron," he said at last. "I can't find an argument
against you."

"Then you consent? And you will help me in every way?"

"It is hard work, my boy--a terrible wrench, but I suppose I must. In a
month," he muttered; "so soon--and for her to sail right away for a
whole year."

Barron wrung his hand hard and smiled.

"How long will it be, my dear sir, before your old taste for the sea
returns? Why, you'll be running across before three months are past.
Really I should not be surprised if you announced that you meant to come