Now everything was in readiness and he had ordered two
hours of rest before the firing from it should begin. Nearly an hour of
that had gone by before he entered his tent for the rest he needed, when
almost immediately the messenger reached him.
"Mr. Royal and his daughter here!" he cried. "And Mr. Royal requests
to see Captain Archdale? I don't understand. But I shall hear why
from them." He dispatched an orderly for Stephen who was still at the
battery, and then went with the skipper to the little vessel that had
brought the unexpected guests. Elizabeth never forgot the kindness of
his greeting. In the midst of the strange scene and of preparations for
work in which women had no part, the friendliness of his face and tones,
and his cordial grasp of her hand made her feel almost at home. She had
been sure of courtesy, but she had not dared to look for this, and her
eyes grew dim for an instant.
"I suppose that we shall return this evening," she said after the
greetings and inquiries were over and Mr.
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