It is wonderful, Tom Virtue making the offer; and I take it as a great personal compliment, for he certainly is not what is generally called a lady's man.

It is very nice, too, of him to think of my having another lady on board.

Whom shall we ask?
Oh, I know," she said suddenly; "that will be the thing of all others.

We will ask my cousin Minnie; she is full of fun and life, and will make a charming wife for Tom!" James Grantham laughed.
"What schemers you all are, Fanny! Now I should call it downright treachery to take anyone on board the Seabird with the idea of capturing its master." "Nonsense, treachery!" Mrs.Grantham said indignantly; "Minnie is the nicest girl I know, and it would do Tom a world of good to have a wife to look after him.

Why, he is thirty now, and will be settling down into a confirmed old bachelor before long.