Myra."

"No, no, dear."

"But I say yes. The clever, plausible scoundrel dazzled me, and I
thought your opposition only maidenly shrinking. Yes, dazzled me, with
his wit and cheery manners, knowledge of the world, and such a game,
too, as he played at piquet. It was ashore, you see, and he was too
much for me. If I'd had him at sea it would have been different. I was
to blame all through--but you forgive me all the misery I caused you?"

"My dear father!"

"Ah, there I am crushing your dress again. Stratton's a lucky dog, and
we'll think it was all for the best."

"Of course, dear."

"Showed what a good true-hearted fellow he was--sort of probationer,
eh?"

Myra turned her head. She could not speak--only clung to the parent she
was so soon to leave.

"Then good-bye to James Barron, alias Dale, and all his works, Myra.
Oh, dear me! In a very short time it will be Mrs Malcolm Stratton, and
I shall be all alone."

"No, you will not, uncle," said Edie, who had entered unobserved after
letting off a fusillade of sobs outside the door, and her pretty grey
eyes a little redder, "and you are not to talk like that to Myra; she
wants comforting. Uncle will not be alone, dear, for I shall do all I
can to make him happy."

"Bah! A jade, a cheat, my dear. Don't believe her," cried the admiral
merrily; "she has a strange Guest in her eye--Hotspur--Percy. Look at
her."

"Don't, Myra dear. Kiss uncle and come back to your room," and after a
loving embrace between father and daughter the bridesmaid carried off
the bride to the room where the travelling trunks lay ready packed, the
bridal veil on a chair; and after the last touches had been given to the
bride's toilet, the cousins were left alone.

"Now, Myra darling, any more commands for me about uncle? We may not
have another chance."

"No, dear," said the bride thoughtfully. "I could say nothing you will
not think of for yourself. Don't let him miss me, dear."

"You know I will not. Bless you, pet; you happy darling, you've won the
best husband in the world. But how funny it seems to have to go through
all this again."

"Hush, dear. Don't--pray don't talk about it."

"I can't help it, Myra; my tongue will talk this morning. Oh, I am so
glad that it will be all right this time."

Myra's brow contracted a little, but her cousin rattled on.

"It has always seemed to me such stuff to talk of you as a widow. Oh,
Myra, don't look like that. W