"I should say so. Yes, certainly," said Mr. Beal.
Mr. Thaxton remained silent.
"What is your opinion, Mr. Thaxton?" asked the captain.
"I have formed none at present," said the lawyer, quietly. "I have not examined the document sufficiently to do so. I know that it was an oft-expressed wish of the late Mr. Mildmay that his daughter should be placed under your guardianship."
"And it is so set down," said Violet, rising with her usual decision. "My father's will is mine!" She held out her hand to the captain, with a sad, gentle smile. "He has assigned me to your charge, and I resign myself. Will you undertake that responsibility? Will you be the guardian of the daughter of your dead friend?"
The captain took the little thin hand and bent over it while his tears—by some miraculous effort—dropped on it.
"I will," he breathed, struggling with his emotion. "I will cherish you, as he says, as if you were my own!"