"Lovely!" she exclaimed as they stepped upon it; "everything is as spick-and-span as possible."
"I am glad indeed that it pleases you, Miss Raymond," said the man in charge, coming hastily forward to greet and welcome them. "I hope you too are satisfied, sir?"
"Perfectly, so far as I have yet examined," returned Captain Raymond in a cheery tone. "You had good weather for your trip up the coast. Mr. Bailey?"
"Yes, sir, yes; indeed, couldn't have asked finer. Hope you all arrived safely and well?"
"Yes, thank you, and I expect to make pretty constant and good use of the yacht. There could hardly be a better place for it than this river."
"No, sir; I think not."
With Lucilla by his side, the captain went here and there, satisfying himself that everything was in perfect order, exchanging kindly greetings with the sailors, and bestowing words of praise upon their care of the vessel.
"She seems in excellent condition," he said, "and I perceive no dirt or disorder. I should not blush to show her to the highest dignitary in the land."
"I hope not, sir," returned Mr. Bailey with a gratified smile; "and I think if anything were wrong no eyes would detect it sooner than those of her owner."
"Now let us go below, papa," said Lucilla. "I quite want to take a peep into my own cosey stateroom."