Beatrice laughed.

“It so happens,” she said, “that my mother is having tea and supper to-night at Mrs. Butler’s.  So if you really care to have me, Mrs. Bell, I shall be delighted to come.”

Beatrice, the popular, the beloved of all in the town, never knew, never to her dying day, that on a certain memorable occasion, good-humored, fat, pompous Mrs. Bell would have given half a sovereign to box her ears.  The astute captain, however, guessed her feelings, and chuckled inwardly.  He had also found out during his brief morning’s conversation that Mrs. Meadowsweet was going to sup from home.

“How delightful you look, Miss Bell!” he said, suddenly, fixing his dark eyes on Matty.

Their glance caused her to start and blush.

“Mrs. Bell,” he said, raising his voice again, “Miss Matty has been so anxious to have Miss Meadowsweet’s company this evening.  And now we are all happy,” he added, gayly.  “Shall I give you another riddle, Miss Matty?”

Mrs. Bell’s anxious brows relaxed, and she smiled inwardly.

“Poor man!  He is over head and ears in love,” she murmured.  “I suppose he thinks Beatrice will play gooseberry with the other girls, and leave him more chance to be alone with little Matty.  She does not look her best, that I will say for her; but, poor fellow, he sees no faults, that’s evident.  How beautiful the love-light in his eyes is—­ah, dear me, it reminds me of the time when I was young, and Bell used to go on his knees to me—­Bell hadn’t eyes like Captain Bertram though.  Dear, dear, he is attentive, poor man, and how close he bends over Matty.  I’ll help him, so I will.  I’ll take Beatrice and the other girls away when once we get out of the boat.  We four will walk up to the house together, and let Captain Bertram and his little girl follow.  Why, of course, she’s his little girl; bless her, the dear child!  Then when we get in, I’ll get Bee and Alice and Sophy to come upstairs by way of consulting how Matty’s new dress is to be made, so the two poor things can have the drawing-room to themselves.  I shouldn’t be a bit surprised if he popped there and then.  Well, I am gratified.  Bertram is a pretty name—­Matilda Bertram!  She won’t like to be known as Matty, then.  ’Mrs. Captain Bertram’—­it sounds very stylish.  I wonder how much money pa will allow for the trousseau.  And how am I to manage about the breakfast?  None of our rooms are big, and all the town’s people will want to be asked.  It isn’t for me to turn my back on old friends; but I doubt if the Bertrams will like to meet every one, of course, they are the first to be considered.  Lor, Sophy, how you startled me; what’s the matter, child?”

“You’re in a brown study, ma.  How much longer are you going to stay in the boat?  We have all landed.”

“Good gracious! mercy mother!  Help me out quick, Sophy, quick!  Bee, Beatrice, come and lend me your hand.  You are bigger than my girls, and my legs are always a little unsteady in a boat.  Oh, not you, Captain Bertram, I beg, I pray.  You just go on with Matty to the house, and we’ll follow presently.  Go on like a good man, and don’t bother yourself.”