“And I would have you do so, if it could be without a sacrifice of your comfort and enjoyment, but—­”

“Comfort and enjoyment!” she interrupted; “it is here in your arms or by your side that I find both; nowhere else.  But why do you talk so? is anything wrong?”

“Nothing, except that it seems impossible for me to leave the plantation for weeks to come, unless I can get a better substitute than I know of at present.”

“Oh, Ned, I am so sorry!” she cried, tears of disappointment springing to her eyes.

“Don’t feel too badly about it, little wife,” he said, in a cheery tone; “it is just possible the right man may turn up before the yacht sails; and in that case I can go with the rest of you; otherwise I shall hope to join you before your stay at Nantucket is quite over.”

“Not my stay; for I won’t go one step of the way without you, unless you order me!” she added, sportively, and with a vivid blush; “and I’m not sure that I’ll do it even in that case.”

“Oh, yes you will,” he said, laughingly.  “You know you promised to be always good and obedient on condition that I would love you and keep you; and I’m doing both to the very best of my ability.”

“But you won’t be if you send me away from you.  No, no; I have a right to stay with you, and I shall claim it always,” she returned, clinging to him as if she feared an immediate separation.

“Foolish child!” he said, with a happy laugh, holding her close; “think what you would lose:  the sea voyage in the pleasantest of company—­”

“No; the pleasantest company would be left behind if you were,” she interrupted.

“Well, very delightful company,” he resumed; “then I don’t know how many weeks of the oppressive heat here you would have to endure, instead of enjoying the cool, refreshing breezes sweeping over Nantucket.  Surely, you cannot give it all up without a sigh?”

“I can’t give up the thought of enjoying it all with you without sighing, and crying, too, maybe,” she answered, smiling through tears; “but I’d sigh and cry ten times as much if I had to go and leave you behind.  No, Mr. Travilla, you needn’t indulge the hope of getting rid of me for even a week.  I’m determined to stay where you stay, and go only where you go.”

“Dreadful fate!” he exclaimed.  “Well, little wife, I shall do my best to avert the threatened disappointment of your hopes of a speedy departure out of this heated atmosphere and a delightful sea voyage to that famous island.  Now, I must leave you and begin at once my search for a substitute as manager of the plantation.”

“Oh, I do hope you will succeed!” she said.  “Shall I go on with my packing?”

“Just as you please, my dear; perhaps it would be best; as otherwise you may be hurried with it if we are able to go with the others.”

“Then I shall; and I’m determined not to look for disappointment,” she said, in a lively, cheery tone, as he left the room,