"Mother," said Mr. Catesby, with great pathos, "don't you know me?"

" "I don't understand you," said Mr. Catesby, with a bewildered glance from one to the other.

" "Tell me all that's happened since I've been away," said Mr. Catesby.

" Mr. Catesby turned, and with a firm step made his way back to the room; Prudence, with a half-smile, took a chair near the door and regarded her prisoner with unholy triumph.

" Mr. Catesby sighed.

" Mr. Catesby's face glowed and his eyes grew tender; Prudence was as clever as she was beautiful.

Mr. Catesby stepped into the lighted room.

" "I'll run round and tell her," said Catesby.

"] Catesby watched him into his cabin and then, though it still wanted an hour to seven, hastily quitted the ship and secreted himself in the private bar of the Beehive.

Mr. Catesby bowed tenderly, and passing in closed the door behind him.

" Mr. Catesby smiled.

"All the same, if I hadn't done it," pursued Mr. Catesby, "I shouldn't be sitting here talking to you now.

"And I would sooner be sitting here than any-where," pursued Catesby.

Then she sat still and took a gentle peep at Mr. Catesby from the corner of her eye.

"Isn't it good luck to hear you say that you are glad I'm here?" said Catesby.

" Mr. Catesby eyed her in perplexity, and was about to address another tender remark to her when she was overcome by a slight fit of coughing.

Her mouth was wide open and she was gazing with starting eyeballs at Mr. Catesby.

"Joe!" Mr. Catesby gazed at her in chilling silence.

"Ain't you goin' to speak to me?" Mr. Catesby continued to gaze at her in speechless astonishment.

" Mr. Catesby looked at her wanly.

Mr. Catesby eyed his tormentors in silence; the faces of Prudence and her mother betokened much innocent enjoyment, but the austerity of Mrs. Porter's visage was unrelaxed.

Mr. Catesby had heard enough; he took up his hat and crossed to the door.

"Come along, Joe." Mr. Catesby attempted to shake her off, but in vain, and he ground his teeth as he realised the absurdity of his position.

Catesby heard the kitchen-door close behind them, but he made no move.

" Catesby followed her into the passage without a word, and waited quietly while she opened the door.