CHAPTER XX.
Circumstances seemed to favor the scheme of the captain, Violet, and Lucilla, for the family and their guests had scarcely left the breakfast table when there was a new arrival, a boat hailing the yacht and discharging several passengers, who proved to be Annis' sisters, Mildred and Zillah, and her brother, the Rev.Cyril Keith.
It was an unexpected arrival, but they were most cordially welcomed and urgently invited to spend as much of their time on the yacht as could be spared from sight-seeing on shore.

They were of course soon introduced to Mr.Lilburn--already known to them by reputation--and presently informed of the state of affairs between him and their sister.

They were decidedly pleased with the old gentleman, yet grieved at the thought of so wide a separation between their dear youngest sister and themselves.
Violet afterward, seizing a momentary opportunity when neither Mr.Lilburn nor Annis was near, told of her plans in regard to the wedding, adding that the subject had not yet been mentioned to Annis, but that she herself hoped no objection would be raised; and it seemed to her that Cyril's arrival, thus providing a minister to perform the ceremony, the very one Annis would have chosen of course, seemed providential.
At first both brother and sisters were decidedly opposed to it--they wanted Annis to be married at home where all the family could be gathered to witness the ceremony; it was bad enough to lose her without being deprived of that privilege; besides time and thought must be given to the preparation of a suitable trousseau.

But in the course of a day or two they were won over to the plan.
Then the consent of those most particularly interested had to be gained.
There was no difficulty so far as concerned Mr.Lilburn; he was really delighted with the idea, but Annis at first positively refused.

She wished to be married at home and she must have a trousseau: not that she cared so much about it for herself, but Mr.Lilburn must not be disgraced by a bride not suitably adorned.
"Well, Annis dear," said Mildred, who was the one selected for the task of obtaining her consent to the proposed plan, "you shall have all that you desire in the way of dress.