The Admiral's Daughter

not to be happy, with a blue sky flecked by little clouds running down to meet a blue sea, the hedgerows gleaming with blackthorn, and the pink tips of the beeches shining in the sun. Chi

e rocky seat; the heels of his riding boots tore at the grass. In his fixed, seaward gaze there was nothing of the expectancy and hope that marked the faces of the youths in the harbour below. His eyes, that could be so merry, with gold lights dancing in the brown, were sad and dark under the black lashes, and his mouth, losing its shape of laughter, was set in hard lines. The world

teps along a narrow path that wound over the headland, and

eet, a smile banishing his dark looks

rey ones whose owner dropped him a mock curtsey, then

s together. You are inches taller than when I saw you last; your shoulders bid fair to burst your jacket seams; you

s the girl knew) how generously nature had dealt out her gifts

s overcame him when considering his length and girth. 'I suppose it comes

eral, I judged, coming a

thought that his little playmate was altering fast. The chin was still a shade long, the nose rather short, the mouth still drooped at the corners, the freckles still over-ran the colourless skin: all the peculiarities which Roger had not failed to bring to the owner's notice, whenever an opportunity offered itself during the last ten yea

sea-gulls flashing in the sunli

must needs turn the house topsy-turvy. Curnow has been at her wits' end. My aunt had the guest-chamber hangings down, and discovered a flaw in the gold stitch; and nothing must serve but th

es, pigs, chickens. Twenty acres ploughed.

n him a moment. 'Still the sa

ited, sitting motionless. Twenty times in his growing manhood he had tried to shut the

that matter, what sailor would wish to die abed? But women can never understand that.' Roger poked the grass with his holly stick and went on, not seeing the look of mingled pity and amusement that ran across his hearer's face. 'Do you know that down yonder in the harbour is the Fair Retur

d

not bear not to. All my life slipping away from me. Pigs, calves, lambs. Twenty acres ploughed. And yonder'—the boy's eyes sought the west—'uncharted seas to cross, lands to explore, fortun

face was

t has happened must continue so to happen—that life must needs go on for ever as it is now? Patience for another little while! Who knows what fortune, what great fortune, is awaiting you? What adventure, what discoveries, what honours? And how worth while the little waiting will have been! A ship seven times fairer than the Fair Return—nay, seven ships. Seven uncharte

have seven ships, they shall all be called Marion. You al

unt Keziah this minute, but don't make me al

e two walked slowl

mortally afraid of your Aunt Keziah, although I only saw her once, w

ot be dependent on a news sheet. How we live in this monstrously du

our fa

hink. Elise has a great hankering after gaiety. Do you know, Roger, my father has written asking my Aunt Constance to visit us from London. I have never seen her, but like you

innocently inquired Roger. 'Garth

p entirely lacking in the airs and graces that do become a young lady,' said

u go to L

, I. Wh

at the mocking face, the black b

graces, forsooth! Intrigues and ferments. Discontent with the simple lif

of her father's

be out on the seven seas adventuring. What can the happenings down here coun

e one ten times a sailor, without places like Garth and Marions living in them? 'Tis for men to go abroad, and maids

. It is only fair that I should go first and Elise later. But all this

arring their path. Suddenly, bearing round the edge of the wood, they were come in view of the village and open harbour again, the cottages at the waterside nestling in the soft haze, and beyond th

een gaze swept the valley. 'Ah—look there—horsemen com

ll us,' said Marion.

valley, and the two, bearing down to it on narrow

rned into the lane. They are making for Mother Poole's cottage. Oh Roger'—Marion gripped his arm—'su

law a prisoner. Brave lad, Jack! But if 'tis he they're after, with luck they'll miss their man. He should be aboard by now, and Jeff

cannot. There are six horsemen yonder, all arme

like a rat in a trap,' said R

cause the sadness of his mother's farewell dimmed his eyes—did he become aware of the horsemen in the path. He gave one glance round, a step backward, and then stood still. It was too late. In three min

moment the leader of the soldiers caught sight of the two above. The young man's attitude and desire were clear to his eyes. A few low words passed between the men. One set his horse at the slope and was re

less youth on the slope. And as he cantered off, Marion drop

Roger, smiling. 'Come, Mawfy, there's old Mother P