“At that early age! Do babies betroth themselves in America?”
“I don’t quite know; but we did! And we were not both babies. He was a schoolboy, but I think I was a baby at first.”
“At first, very likely! Well, when are you to be married?”
“I don’t quite know. But not until Roland gets his rights and comes into his estates.”
“Ah! there is litigation? But who is this happy man Roland?”
“He is a mate on a merchantman at present. But when he gets his rights, I am sure he will be a nobleman of high rank, and maybe a prince of royal race.”
“Oh!” said the earl, with a curious smile. Then, growing suddenly very grave, he inquired:
“My dear child, do your parents know anything about your relations with this—adventurer?”
“He is not an adventurer,” said Rosemary.
“But when he, a skipper’s mate, represents himself to be a man of rank, kept out of his rights——”