Mrs. Easterfield’s regard for Lancaster was growing, partly on account of the confidence she had already reposed in him.  In her present state of mind she would have been glad to give him still more, for she did not know what to do about Olive and Mr. Hemphill, and there was no one with whom she could talk upon the subject; even if she had known Dick better her loyalty to Olive would have prevented that.

“Have you found out anything about the captain and Olive?” she asked.  “Has he spoken of her return?”

“No,” replied Dick; “he has not said a word on the subject, but I am very sure he would be overjoyed to have her come back.  Every day when the postman arrives I believe he looks for a letter from her, and he shows that he feels it when he finds none.  He is good-natured, and pleasant, but he is not as cheerful as when I first came.”

“Every day,” said Mrs. Easterfield, as they walked together, “I love Olive more and more.”

“So do I,” thought Dick.

“But every day I understand her less and less,” she continued.  “She is truly a navy girl, and repose does not seem to be one of her characteristics.  From what she has told me, I believe she has never lived in domestic peace and quiet until she came to stay with her uncle.  It would delight me to see her properly married.  I wish you would marry her.”

Dick stopped, and so did she, and they stood looking at each other.  He did not redden, for he was not of the flushing kind; his face even grew a little hard.

“Do you believe,” said he, in a very different tone from his ordinary voice, “that I have the slightest chance?”

“Of course I do,” she answered.  “I believe you have a very good chance, or I should not have spoken to you.  I flatter myself that I have excellent judgment concerning young men, and I am very fond of Olive.”

“Mrs. Easterfield,” exclaimed Dick, “you know I am in love with her.  I suppose that has been easy enough to see, but it has all been very quick work with me; in fact, I have had very little to say to her, and have never said anything that could in the slightest degree indicate how I felt toward her.  But I believe I loved her the second day I met her, and I am not sure it did not begin the day before.”

“I think that sort of thing is always quick work where Olive is concerned,” said Mrs. Easterfield.  “I think it likely that many young men have fallen in love with her, and that they have to be very lively if they want a chance to tell her so.  But don’t be jealous.  I know positively that none of them ever had the slightest chance.  But now all that is passed.  I know she is tired of an unsettled life, and it is likely she may soon be thinking of marrying, and there will be no lack of suitors.  She has them now.  But I want her to marry you.”

“Mrs. Easterfield,” exclaimed Dick, “you have known me but a very little while——­”

“Don’t mention that,” she interrupted.  “I do quick work as well as other people.  I never before engaged in any matchmaking business, but if this succeeds, I shall be proud of it to the end of my days.  You are in love with Olive, and she is worthy of you.  I want you to try to win her, and I will do everything I can to help you.  Here is my hand upon it.”