breakfast, and saunter to that place known as the Long Quay, and hire
the very best boat to be had for money, and we can float about on this
lovely harbor, and land presently on the shore over there where the
ruins of the old Port are; and we can eat our dinners there and be
jolly. Remember that we have never but once been on the water since we
came. Think how we have pined for this simple pleasure, Loftie, and fork
out the tin."

"My dear Mabel, I must place my interdict on slang."

"Nonsense. When the cat's away. Oh, don't look shocked! Are we to go?"

"Go! of course we'll go. Is there no pretty girl who'll come with us?
It's rather slow to have only one's sisters."

"Very well, Loftus. We'll pay you out presently," said Kate.

"And there is a very pretty girl," continued Mabel, "At least Catherine
considers her very pretty--only--" her eyes danced with mischief.

"Only what?"

"The mother doesn't like her. There's a dear old Rector here, and he
introduced the girl to Kitty, and mother was wild. Mother sounded the
Rector the next day and heard something which made her wilder still, but
we are not in the secret. Kate fell in love with the girl."

"Did you, Kate? When a woman falls in love with another woman the
phenomenon is so uncommon that a certain amount of interest must be
roused. Describe the object of your adoration, Kitty."