as anyone could ask or expect a daughter to be."

"Oh, thank you, my dear father, for saying that!" she responded, lifting
to his, eyes beaming with happiness, "and I do intend that it shall be my
very last failure to be as promptly and cheerfully obedient as possible,
for I know you never deny me anything, unless you see that it is for my
good, and I have never known you to make a mistake about that. Do you want
Grace and me to go to bed as soon as you and the others are gone?"

"I think it would be well for you to do so, but if you both prefer it you
may stay on deck for another half hour."

"Then I will get ready for bed at once, papa, for I want to do exactly as
you think best, and I know Gracie does also."

"Yes, I know she does; and, by the way, I must carry her down before I go;
she is so weary, poor child," he said, hurrying up to the deck.

Lucilla waited only to see the others off, then joined her sister in their
state-room.

"You poor dear, you are so tired!" she exclaimed, noticing Grace's weary
expression and heavy eyes. "You must let me help you with your
preparations for bed."

"Thank you, Lu," returned Grace; "you are such a dear sister--always so
kind and helpful to me; but I am sorry that for my sake you should lose
the pleasure of going to the Court of Honor with the others to-night."

"O Gracie, you know we always find out in the end that papa's way is the