To set his doubts at rest, he said:—
"Well, Violet, has the sea been eloquent to-day, or is it too calm?"
She looked up at him, then at her sisters, and coloured. "I see they have been making fun of me," she said; "but that's not fair. I love to sit by the sea because—" she hesitated, "mama loved it. It isn't foolish of me, is it Captain Heath?"
"No, my dear, not at all—not at all."
"Oh, Captain Heath!" exclaimed Rose, "you said just now it was."
He pinched her little cheek playfully, and was about to reply, when Blanche said:—
"Look, there is Mary Hardcastle walking with Mrs. Henley. Let us go and speak to them. I will introduce you, Captain Heath; she's very pretty."
"Another time," replied he; "they seem to be talking very earnestly together."
"That they are."
"I hate Mary Hardcastle," said Violet.