I know you better than any officer on board; and, besides, I should feel safer and better satisfied if she went under the protection of an officer,--these barbarous places, you know!--though, of course, it may be asking too much of you, or what is impossible." I assented with pleasure.

Belle Treherne was looking at the Latin names on the bottles at the time, and her face showed no expression either of pleasure or displeasure.

Mr.Treherne said bluffly: "Dr.Marmion, you are kind--very kind, and, upon my word, I'm much obliged." He then looked at his daughter as if expecting her to speak.
She looked up and said conventionally: "You are very kind, Dr.Marmion, and I am much obliged." Then I thought her eyes twinkled with amusement at her own paraphrase of her father's speech, and she added: "Mrs.
Callendar and myself will be much honoured indeed, and feel very important in having an officer to attend us.

Of course everybody else will be envious, and, again of course, that will add to our vanity." At this she would have gone; but her father, who was suffering just enough pain to enjoy anything that would divert his attention from it, fell into conversation upon a subject of mutual interest, in which his daughter joined on occasion, but not with enthusiasm.

Yet, when they came to go, she turned and said kindly, almost softly, as her fingers touched mine: "I almost envy you your profession, Dr.Marmion.It opens doors to so much of humanity and life." "There is no sin," I laughingly said, "in such a covetousness, and, believe me, it can do no harm to me, at least." Then I added gravely: "I should like my profession, in so far as I am concerned, to be worth your envy." She had passed through the door before the last words were said, but I saw that her look was not forbidding.
.........................
Is there unhappiness anywhere?
There is not a vexing toss of the sea, not a cloud in the sky.