Page:The Sea Lady.djvu/281

 was gone. He was now acutely aware of the determined person at his side.

"She has means?" she asked abruptly.

"Miss Glendower?"

"No. I know all about her. The other?"

"The mermaid?"

"Yes, the mermaid. Why not?"

"Oh, she— Very considerable means. Galleons. Phœnician treasure ships, wrecked frigates, submarine reefs"

"Well, that's all right. And now will you tell me, Mr. Melville, why shouldn't Harry have her? What if she is a mermaid? It's no worse than an American silver mine, and not nearly so raw and ill-bred."

"In the first place there's his engagement"

"Oh, that!"

"And in the next there's the Sea Lady."