If your devotion could stand the strain of a dishevelled and seasick spouse, our matrimonial future has no terrors for your loving Mary." As Morris read he ceased to laugh.

"Yes," he thought to himself, "'solitude in a wretched little boat' does promote mutual understanding.
I am not certain that it does not promote it too much." Then, with an access of irritation, "Bother the people! I wish I could be rid of them; the whole thing seems likely to become a worry." Next he took up a letter from his father, which, when perused, did not entertain him in the least.

There was nothing about Lady Rawlins in it, of whom he longed to hear, or thought that he did; nothing about that entrancing personality, the bibulous and violent Sir Jonah, now so meek and lamblike, but plenty, whole pages indeed, as to details connected with the estate.

Also it contained a goodly sprinkling of sarcasms and grumblings at his, Morris's, bad management of various little matters which the Colonel considered important.

Most of all, however, was his parent indignant at his neglect to furnish him with details sufficiently ample of the progress of the new buildings.