"'Pleased with a rattle, Tickled with a straw.'" "Yes, I remembered that just as I came aboard, and I was so vexed at my foolish bouquet that I tossed it overboard," Lancaster replied, with the utmost coolness. [Pg 45] [Pg 45] He sat down, lighted a weed, and leaning over the rail, watched the deep, white furrows cut in the heaving sea by the bounding ship. His thoughts reverted provokingly to Leonora West. "What is she doing? Will she come on deck this evening? Did she think I would not call for her, or did she come down first with malice prepense?" he asked himself, one question after another revolving busily through his brain. Lieutenant De Vere's gay voice jarred suddenly on his musings: "Tell you what, old fellow, you missed something by not coming aboard with me. I formed a charming acquaintance this afternoon." "Eh, what?"—the captain roused himself with a start. "I formed a charming acquaintance on board ship this afternoon. Prettiest girl in America—England, either, I should say." A swift suspicion darted into Lancaster's mind. "Ah, indeed?" he said. "What is the divinity's name?" "I have not found out yet," confessed the lieutenant. "Ah! then your boasted acquaintance did not progress very far," chaffingly. "No; but I rely on time to develop it. We shall be on board steamer ten days together. I shall certainly find out my fair unknown in all that time," confidently. Lancaster frowned slightly with that lurking suspicion yet in his mind. "Oh, you needn't look so indifferent!" cried De Vere.
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