“It is according to nature, sir,” Chester said, returning the smile.  “You served Cousin Elsie so when you stole Cousin Violet’s heart; and Cousin Elsie’s husband had taken her from her father.  It has been the way almost ever since the world began; so I suppose it is all right.”

“Yes; but a father has a right to say it shall not begin too soon with his own daughter.  Wedlock brings cares and responsibilities that should not be allowed to fall too soon upon young shoulders, and it is my desire and purpose to keep my dear young daughters free from them until they reach years of maturity.”

“Putting it so, captain, it does seem that you are acting kindly by them, though I must insist that it is hard on the lovers,” Chester returned between a smile and a sigh.  “But I think you may trust your daughter with me to-morrow without much fear that I will abuse your confidence.  And I am not at all sure that I could gain anything by speaking.  We are good friends,—­she and I,—­but I doubt if she cares a cent for me any other way.”

“As to that,” the captain said in kindly tone and with his pleasant smile, “I still have the happiness of believing that, as yet, her father holds the first place in her heart.  I cannot hope that it will be so always—­perhaps I ought not to wish it; but I do rejoice in the firm conviction that such is the fact at present.”

“No one can blame you for that, sir,” Chester said, rising to take leave, “but, ungenerous as it sounds, I cannot help hoping that, one of these days, I may be able to shift your position to the second place, taking the first myself.  It sounds dreadful selfish, but fathers have to give way to lovers and husbands if the human race is to continue.  I hope to be here in the morning, captain, a little after nine o’clock, with a carriage, to take Miss Lu to the wharf where the boat will be lying.  I promise to take the best of care of her, to do and say nothing of which her father would disapprove, and to bring her home safely, Providence permitting, before dark.”

“I have no doubt you will, Chester, and I trust her—­one of my choice treasures—­to you with confidence in your purpose to be the faithful guardian of her safety, and perfectly trustworthy as regards the matter of which we have been speaking,” were the captain’s parting words to his young visitor as he saw him out to the veranda.

“Thank you, sir; I hope to prove faithful to the trust.  Good-evening,” Chester returned, then sped away down the drive.

He thought it best, as did the captain also, that Lucilla should be left in ignorance of his call.

She came downstairs when the tea bell summoned the family to partake of their evening meal, and at its conclusion all gathered upon the front veranda, as was their custom.  They had not been there very long when the Fairview carriage was seen to turn in at the great gates and come swiftly up the drive.  As it drew up before the entrance they perceived with pleasure that it contained Mr. and Mrs. Leland and Evelyn, Grandma Elsie, and Rosie.  A warm welcome was given them, all were comfortably seated—­the young girls in a group together a little to one side of the older people—­and soon an animated chat was being carried on by each party.