ng wholly out of touch with all
social surroundings. There was a reticence about him which almost all
took for surliness, but which was in reality merely a somewhat
unattractive mixture of awkwardness and laziness.

He was in the Royal Engineers, and believed to be a very clever man in
his profession. But there was never anything in the least bright or
original in his conversation. Yet, for some vague reason, Molly credited
him with the ability to do great deeds, and was particularly gracious to
him.

Mrs. Langdale, who was lively herself, infinitely preferred Charlie
Cleveland's boisterous company, and on the present occasion she rose to
follow him with great promptitude.

"I must find out how he has managed the rest of his costume," she said
to Molly. "It is sure to be strikingly original--like himself."

The contempt deepened a little on Molly's face, contempt and regret--an
odd mixture.

"He is very funny, no doubt," she said; "but I think one gets a little
tired of his perpetual gaiety. I don't think we should find him so
delightful if a storm came on. I haven't much faith in those people who
can never take anything really seriously. I believe he would die
laughing."

"All the better," declared Mrs. Langdale, who loved Charlie's impetuous
ways with maternal tolerance. "It is always better to laugh than cry, my
dear; though it isn't always easier by any means."

She departed with the words, laughing a little to herself at Molly's
critical mood; and Captain Fisher went and sat stolidly down beside
Molly, who turned to him with an instant smile of welcome. She was the
only lady on board who was never bored by this man's quiet society. She
liked him thoroughly, finding the contrast between him and his volatile
friend a great relief.

Fisher never talked frivolities; indeed, he seldom talked at all. Yet to
Molly the hour he spent beside her on that sunny day in the
Mediterranean passed as pleasantly and easily as she could have desired.

Captain Fisher might seem heavy to others, but never to her--a fact of
which secretly she was rather proud.

II

"Come up on deck!" whispered Charlie in an eager undertone. "There's no
one there, and the night is divine."

Molly Erie looked at the strange figure in fancy-dress beside her and
laughed aloud. She had not allowed Charlie a _tete-a-tete_ for many
days, but she felt that he could scarcely attempt to be sentimental in
that costume.

She went with him, there