'I am not going abroad this year,' Lady Beresford said, wearily. 'Really my nerves cannot stand the perpetual fatigue and worry of the railway stations and hotels. But the girls are going--by themselves. It is becoming quite common now. They don't want even to have a maid with them; and really I am ashamed of the attention I require----'
'Nan is going with us too,' said Miss Beresford, staring into the fireplace, where there was no fire.
'Oh! indeed,' said the grave young lieutenant.
'She has never been abroad before. Won't her eyes grow big! She has a great capacity for wonder and admiration; she will do all our reverence for us at the proper shrines.'
'You have seen Sir George recently, then?' said Lady Beresford.
'At Portsmouth last week. They were all down from the Admiralty.'
'What a dear old gentleman he is!' she said.
'He is the finest sailor and the best-hearted gentleman in her Majesty's service--and that's not saying a small thing,' was the answer, prompt and straight.
'You are a great pet of his,' said Miss Beresford, 'are you not?'
'He has been a very good friend to me. But you needn't imagine it is because of that I respect him--that I more than respect him--I love him.'
There was a touch of earnestness in his voice and in the simplicity of the phrase, that made Miss Beresford regard him for a second with almost wondering eyes. She had never seen, for her part, anything about Sir George Stratherne to be enthusiastic about.
However, she had to continue the conversation unaided, for her mother was too languid. Beauty had got into an effective position, and was content to be silent, while the Baby was useless. So she said with a smile,
'I hope Sir George won't have to find fault with you for bringing your ship into these shallow waters. Tom--my brother Tom, you know--is very anxious about it. I think he would like to give you his advice.'
'I should be glad to have it,' said Lieutenant King, with befitting gravity, 'but I do not think we are in any great danger. And how is your brother?'
'Oh, very well; I mean very ill. Worse than ever. I wish you could take him with you for a cruise or two.'
'As they used to take a cask of raw Madeira,' said he, laughing heartily, 'to fine down? Well, you're right about one thing; there's some good stuff in the lad. He might fine down to something good. But he is not in proper guidance.'