knows one of the Commissioners of Police, and my brother can get it done
for me. Turlington has not always been in the Levant trade--I know that
already."

"For shame, Launce! for shame!"

The footsteps on deck were audible coming back. Natalie sprang to the
door leading into the cabin. Launce stopped her, as she laid her hand on
the lock. The footsteps went straight on toward the stern of the vessel.
Launce clasped both arms round her. Natalie gave way.

"Don't drive me to despair!" he said. "This is my last opportunity. I
don't ask you to say at once that you will marry me, I only ask you to
think of it. My darling! my angel! will you think of it?"

As he put the question, they might have heard (if they had not been
too completely engrossed in each other to listen) the footsteps
returning--one pair of footsteps only this time. Natalie's prolonged
absence had begun to surprise her aunt, and had roused a certain vague
distrust in Richard's mind. He walked back again along the deck by
himself. He looked absently in the main cabin as he passed it. The
store-room skylight came next. In his present frame of mind, would he
look absently into the store-room too?

"Let me go!" said Natalie.

Launce only answered, "Say yes," and held her as if he would never let
her go again.

At the same moment Miss Lavinia's voice rose shrill from the deck