"I never knew what a pretty name I had before, Emily."
"I think it is lovely," she said, naïvely.
"Thank you. Do you like my other name, too?"
"Oh, ever so much."
"I am so glad, because it will be yours. Mrs. Richard Revere."
"Hush, how can you!" she cried, blushing furiously. "I want to ask one thing of you. Do not say anything about—to-day. That is, to grandfather or Captain Barry,—not just yet."
"I'm not likely to say anything about it to Captain Barry now or at any other time," he laughed; "and as for the admiral, it will do no harm for us to wait a day or two, I fancy,—that is, if you wish it, princess."
Her desire suited his plans admirably, for the delay would give him time to write and get his freedom.
"I want to enjoy it first alone," she went on, dreamily. "I want to have the knowledge that you love me all to myself, just for a day. It's so sacred, and so solemn a thing to me, Richard; so beautiful, that I want to keep it just here in my heart alone, for a little while."
She laid her hand upon her heart with the sweetest gesture as she spoke.