The weather was very warm, the sea perfectly calm, but as they steamed out of the harbor a pleasant breeze sprang up, and the voyage began most prosperously.

There were a hundred lady passengers, and not more than a dozen gentlemen; but to Virginia’s delight, one of these last was a gay dashing young army officer, with whom she had a slight acquaintance.

He caught sight of her directly, hastened to greet her, and they were soon promenading the deck together, engaged in an evident flirtation.

Mr. Dinsmore, seated at some little distance with his daughter and her children about him, watched his niece’s proceedings with a deepening frown.  He was not pleased with either her conduct or her companion.

At length, rising and approaching his sister, “Do you know that young man, Louise?” he asked.

“Not intimately,” she returned, bridling.  “He is Captain Brice of the army.”

“Do you know his character?”

“I have heard that he belongs to a good family, and I can see that he is a gentleman.  I hope you are satisfied.”

“No, I am not, Louise.  He is a wild, reckless fellow, fond of drink, gambles——­”

“And what of it?” she interrupted.  “I don’t suppose he’s going to teach Virginia to do either.”

“He is no fit associate for her or for any lady.  Will you interpose your authority——­”

“No, I won’t; I’m not going to insult a gentleman, and I’m satisfied that Virginia has sense enough to take care of herself.”

“Waving the question whether a man of his character is a gentleman, let me remark that it is not necessary to insult him in order to put a stop to this.  You can call your daughter to your side, keep her with you, take an early opportunity to inform her of the man’s reputation, and bid her discourage his attentions.  If you do not interfere,” he added in his determined way, “I shall take the matter into my own hands.”

“Isadore,” said Mrs. Conly, “go and tell your sister I wish to speak to her.”

Virginia was extremely vexed at the summons, but obeyed it promptly.

“What can mamma want?  I was having such a splendid time,” she said pettishly to her sister, when they were out of the captain’s hearing.

“It is more Uncle Horace than mamma.”

Virginia reddened.  She knew her uncle’s opinions, and she was not entirely ignorant of the reputation borne by Captain Brice.

She feigned ignorance however, listened with apparent surprise to her uncle’s account of him and promised sweetly to treat him with the most distant politeness in future.

Mr. Dinsmore saw through her, but what more could he do, except keep a strict watch over both.

The captain, forsaken by Virginia, sauntered about the deck and presently approaching an elderly lady who sat somewhat apart from the rest, lifted his cap with a smiling “How do you do, Mrs. Noyes?” and taking an empty chair by her side entered into a desultory conversation.