time?"

"I think not," the captain answered. "Grace is the best and most dutiful
of daughters, always satisfied with her father's decisions; thinking he
knows what is best for her. Also she loves her home and home pleasures;
indeed thinks there is no other place quite equal to home."

"It is a lovely place, that's a fact," Frank returned with a slight
laugh, "but variety is the spice of life, and possibly Miss Grace's
health might be better if she tried more of that spice."

"I think that if you ask her you will learn that a pleasant variety is
not, and has not been, lacking in her experience of life," was the
captain's pleasant-toned rejoinder.

"I am sure of it," remarked Maud. "I never knew anybody who seemed to me
happier or more light-hearted than Gracie. And, oh, but she dotes upon
her father!"

"As all his children do," said Lucilla, giving him a look of ardent
affection.

"You will not keep my daughter out very late?" the captain said,
addressing Frank in a tone of inquiry.

"No, sir; we expect to get home before dark. But if anything should
happen to detain us you need not be uneasy. We will take good care of
her and return her to you in safety."

"We are staying out rather late now ourselves, Frank, and I think