BY RIGHT OF CONQUEST.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5731, 28 October 1905, Page 12

BY RIGHT OF CONQUEST.

(By Guy Boothby). Rear-Admiral Sir Dominic Denby, K.C.li., was a bachelor, and a most gallant and polite old gentleman. Like most of his profession lie had nn eye for a pretty face and a well-turned ankle, and in spile of his years he was etill susceptible to their fascinations. Ho was, moreover, socially inclined, entertained hospitably, and the officers of his sqitadron ably seconded his efforts. When the fleet had been in Sydney harbour a fortnight or so ho issued cards for an afternoon "At 1101110" aboard his flagship. Mrs Bo Conroy Penning and M : s- Ethclwya Penning were among those invited. Sir Dominic had met the younger lady half a dozen time© before and on each occasion lie had become more and more enamoured of her beauty and accomplishments. On tho evening of the day upon which tho invitation arrived she attended tho Bretons' Cinderella. A number of tho naval men were present, and among them was a certain Sub-Jiciitcnant George Iloskyns. lie was a nice enough young fellow, very pink and clean looking and irreproachably upholstered. However, impossible a thing may seem, it was a case of lovo at first sight. They danced and eat out four numbers together, and, because it was the one thing they should have avoided, laid the foundation of a very strong attachment. Her friends noticed this behaviour and told her mother, who next day carpeted her daughter soundly. To quote the Press tho Blunderbuss "At home” was a brilliant success. The harbour looked its loveliest, and the arrangements were beyond reproach. Steam launches conveyed the gueats between tho warship and tho shore. The flagship herself was decorated with true nautical taste, and tho bright uniforms and varied colours of the ladies dresses lent an additional lustre to tho picture. The fleet band played on the quarterdeck, and a camera obscura was arranged on the bridge. Tho latter is important. Airs and Miss De Courcy Penning were among the first to arrive, and the RearAdmiral coloured like a school-boy as ho stepped forward to receive them. The young lady's toilet had been made with exquisite care, and everyone thought it suited her charmingly. Sir Dominic Denby thought so too. By the exercise of considerable diplomacy ho managed to keep her continually by his side, and allowed it to bo seen that ho paid her open and unmistakable attention. The mother could hardly conceal her delight, but it was evident to us that tho daughter was not so pleased. Sub-lieutenant Ho-skyns watched them from a distance, and in consequence his conversation with pretty Mis© F'ettorby was disjointed and fragmentary in the extreme. He was being afforded a practical illustration of a naval situation which would prove of value to him in his after career. When tho vice-regal launch was signalled, tho guard of' honour formed, and tho Rear-Admiral had advanced to the gangway to receive the Governor, Iloskyns edged up alongside Miss Ethelwyn and said something in a low voice. There he made a mistake, for she withered him with a glance, and they spoke no more throughout tho afternoon. The officers of the Blunderbuss are proverbially good hosts, and amusements followed thick and fast upon each other. When tho Government House party left the ship the Admiral felt at liberty to devote his attention exclusively to Miss Penning, and he himself escorted her over tho vessel. They wound up with tho camera obscura tent, where they found themselves alone. Being a woman, her instinct told her what was coming.

Per a space they talked the ordinary trivialities. Then while she was examining the harbour and its shipping, as delineated on the calico disc. Sir Dominic. assuming his most pompous manner, revealed tho state of his affections, hummed and hawed over his declaration of the passion that was consuming him, and finally wound up by entreating her to so far honour him as to become my Lady Denby, etc. It would be hard for an admiral to bit upon a better place to plead his cause than tho bridge of his own flagship. And Miss Ethelwyn, remembering certain advice given her beforehand, turned deadly white and faltered an assent. He was delighted beyond measure. I caught his eye as they loft the tent, and I saw that though his hair yvafi gray and his back bent, he was in fieality only twenty-throe. Mrs Penning was devoutly anen ostentatiously thankful when she heard tho news.

Everybody said (Sub-lieutenant Hoskyns of course included) that they were a heartless family, and many added various other spiteful assertions just to prove their own disappointment and their vast superiority to the fortunate Sir Dominic. Next morning the Admiral called upon Mrs Penning and placed matters "upon an. eminently satisfactory basis. When the business interview was ended he went into the garden to find his fiancee, who, npou meeting him, thrust a note hurriedly into her pocket. Her eyes were red, and she did not seem best pleased to see him. But he was a kind-hearted old gentleman, in the seventh heaven of happiness and she found it to he impossible to be angry with him for long. After lunch they drove to a jeweller’s shop in George Street, where she chose for an engagement ring a neat half-loop of diamonds, and as a souvenir of the occasion a bracelet that would have brought tears into the eyes of any ordinary girl. His courteous manner of presenting tho gifts equalled their value and Miss Penning returned home feeling that after all the situation was not quite ns horrible as she had imagined. She told herself repeatedly that she could have endured it well enough if she had never seen Suh-lieuteuant Hoskyns. That little “if!” Because we are essentially a reciprocating people, a number of ladies clubbed together to give a farewell dance to the officers before the fleet put to sea. Mrs De Courcy Penning was on the committee, and she requested her future eou-

in-law to allow them the services of a few blue-jackets to assist in the decoration of the ball-room. The petition was immediately granted, and Sub-lieutenaut llofikyns obtained permission to go ashore to superintend their exertions. Now any chaperon of experience will tell you that the preparation of a ballroom is a dangerous business; it presents so many opportunities for flirtation.

ATiss Penning undertook the decoration of the supper-room. and the Sublieutenant discovered that it behoved him lo assist her. People whom it did not concern wondered what Sir Dominic would have said had ho seen them. During the afternoon their behaviour became so noticeable that the “Official ilandicapper” was compelled to draw Imr daughter on one side, and remonstrate with her. But it had no effect, her conduct became oven loss restrained than before. There was a desperate air about it that for thinking people had its own meaning.

Towards dusk Sir Dominic dropped into an al fresco afternoon tea among the debris. Before ho left his fiancee escorted him round the room. In duty b*:und ho praised all the arrangements —tiie supper room in particular. _ He prophesied that he would enjoy himself immensely. The invitations were for nine o’clock, and the guests were received by the Indies of the committee. The large lobby had been arranged _as a fßawinv-room, and somebody had insisted that it should be provided with little snuggeries partitioned off with palms and high green stuff, -r knowledge of the geography of this room i£ essential to the success of ruy story.

It was really ft beautiful little dance, admirably arranged and carried out, yet tour people did not enjoy it one bit. Miss Ethclwyn Penning arrived in a feverishly excited state that so frightened her maternal parent that she almost forgot sho was to dance the opening lancers with his Excellency himself. Tho young lady was faultlessly dressed, and her heightened colour, radiant beauty, and dashing carriage elec trifled everyone. She danced the opening sot with the Rear-Admiral, and tho first waltz with bis Sub-lieutenant. My gracious! how she carried on! Sho dashed through everything at breakneck pace, comnlaining that the waltzes wore too slow, and that the polkas sounded like dirges. Her temper was by no means amiable, and her partners suffered accordingly. Her eyes sparkled like the brilliants on nor wrist.

No. 5 was a Pas de Quatre, No. 16 a .square. Iloskyns was her partner for tho first. Sir Dominic for the second. She whirled and bounded through the Pas de Quatre like a mad woman — dashing, crashing, leaping,, prancing like a professional daneouso, It was a gorgeous performance, and by no means tho least remarkable part of it was tho study cf her mother's face. Nobody who saw that will ever forget it. Tho Admiral watched from an alcove in admazement, while numbers of the other dancers stopped to look on. Presently the conductor of theorchestra e-uufht the infection, and tho band played "Vaster and faster. The couple tore round and round at headlong ©peed, leaping, whirling, twirling like two possessed. It was glorious! . When the music ceased tho Amiral crossed the floor, and in defiance of ballroom etiquette took Miss Penning from her partner's arm. Then they passed through the drawing-room into one of the snuggeries together. For some minutes she was too exhaustto speak and her future husband watched her with an anxious face. Recovering as tho orchestra commenced the lancers, she made as jf to rise, but ho signed her back to her ©eat. "Bthclwyn," ho said softly, "I can seo there is something very wrong. What is it, my dear—can you tell me." She did not answer, and an expression of almost terror crossed her face** Ho leaned „towards her and took her hand. "Am I not worthy of your trust, Ethohvyn ?" lit rcnly, and before ho could prevent her. tho poor child had fallen on her knees before him, sobbing as though her heart would break. "Oh, vea, yos." eho moaned, "too worthy, far too worthy 1" Ho took a seat on the sofa beside her and gently drew her towards him. Then bit by bit with, infinite tact, ho coaxed her into telling him everything, and in tho telling she stabbed remorselessly at the heart that lovcdTier best. He hoard her out. striving to conceal the pain of the bitter blow she was dealing him. When she had finished, lie said simply—- " Child. I am glad you had tho courage to tell mo this. It ie all my fault. [ should have known that it would be impossible for you to love an old man like me. I will show you how much I lovo 3 t ou by considering your happiness before my own—if you will leave it to me ? I will do my best for you." Next day ho called upon Mrs Do Courcy Penning. When the interview was over he had won her consent to tho transference of her daughter's engagement to Sub-lieutenant George Iloskyns. vice Rear-Admiral Sir Dominic Denby, K.C.8., resigned. On his return to tho flagship he uent for his rival. When they were alone together he commenced abruptly—"Mr Hoskyns, Miss Bthelwyn Penning has told mo of your mutual attachment. I presume you are certain as to the stability of your affection?" "Really. Sir Dominic ——” "No procrastination, sir! the Admiral thundered. "Are you certain?" "Quito certain, sir."

'‘Then understand that I have arrang-' ed tho matter with the young lady's mother, who sanctions your engagement. Your career, provided you behave yourself, will be my particular care. But mark this! If over you give Miss Penning cause to regret her action, by God, sir, I'll keel-haul you through tho fleet! Now go!" , , , . _ Tho sentry who had overheard the foregoing, affirms that after the Sublieutenant had passed out, a sound very like that of a man crying came from the state-room of Rear-Admiral Sir Dominic Denby. K.C.B,