PATRONAGE.




CHAPTER I.


"How the wind is rising!" said Rosamond.--"God help the poor people at sea
to-night!"

Her brother Godfrey smiled.--"One would think," said he, "that she had an
argosy of lovers at sea, uninsured."

"You gentlemen," replied Rosamond, "imagine that ladies are always thinking
of lovers."

"Not _always_," said Godfrey; "only when they show themselves particularly
disposed to humanity."

"My humanity, on the present occasion, cannot even be suspected," said
Rosamond; "for you know, alas! that I have no lover at sea or land."

"But a shipwreck might bless the lucky shore with some rich waif," said
Godfrey.