against the dangers we
know may occur. I have therefore made my will, and left the very small
property I possess to Jessie; but most of my income, as the widow of a
warrant-officer killed in action, ceases at my death, so that as a
single woman she would be but poorly off, though she will have something
to help keep house."

"I would as willingly marry her if she had not a sixpence," exclaimed
Ralph, warmly. "More willingly I could not, but it would be a
satisfaction to know that I was saving her from poverty or from having
to toil for her living."

"I know you will, Ralph, and I believe you, so say no more about that,"
observed Mrs Treviss. "If your good captain settles to put the _Amity_
into dock, you may perhaps marry some day next week. You can ask
Jessie, and I don't think she will say you nay."

Ralph was pouring out his thanks from the bottom of his heart, with all
the ardour of a young sailor, when Jessie returned. He would at once
have broached the subject had not Mrs Treviss given him timely warning
that by so doing he would considerably interfere with the supper
arrangements. Jessie therefore went back to the kitchen and returned
several times, unaware of the interesting conversation which had taken
place, though she might have observed the animated expression of her
lover's countenance. When all was ready and they sat down to table
Ralph ate so little that Jessie began to fear he was unwell, and she at
last could not help looking up affectionately in his face and asking him
if such was the case.

"Oh no, I never felt better in my life, Jessie; and so happy!" he
answered.

Perhaps she herself might just then have had some suspicion of the
truth, for she forgot to eat any more; and shortly afterwards her
granny, getting up, hobbled out of the room. The young people were
alone, and, as may be supposed, Ralph did not lose much time in telling
Jessie what Mrs Treviss had said, and asking her if she would consent
to the arrangement. Jessie was as ready to obey her granny's wishes as
Ralph could desire, and as he told her there would be no difficulty in
obtaining a licence she consented to fix the following Monday for their
wedding-day, if he could, as he hoped, remain in Plymouth. He was
naturally very sanguine in the expectation of being able to obtain a
holiday. He even thought that, should the _Amity_ be offered a freight
which could not be refused, Captain Mudge would propose getting another