“What mean you, Zulmiera?” inquired the young cavalier, as soon as he could make himself heard; for her utterance during the preceding speech had been so rapid, and her manner so excited, that all his former attempts to interrupt her had been useless. “What mean you, dearest Zulmiera? Why this flashing eye—this agitated mien? Is it because yon king-killing, canting Puritan, called you _servant_, that these wild dreams (for I know not what else to term them) are floating through your brain? Never heed him, dearest; you will soon be my bride, my acknowledged wife; and then let me see who dare call you servant, or taunt you with your birth! Know that I love one tress of this black hair”—and he drew her fondly towards him—“better than all the fair ringlets and fairer skins of England’s boasted daughters. But draw your mantle closer round you, and let us to our former seat, where I will relate to you all my plans.—You know,” resumed Raphe, as they gained their resting-place upon the old tree, “that after the unfortunate battle of Naseby, upon which bloody field my brave father fell, fighting for his lawful sovereign against those long-eared Roundheads, (to which sect our notable governor belongs!) my widowed mother, seized with an irrepressible panic, fled from England, carrying me, then a stripling of about fourteen, along with her. Our first place of refuge was Holland, where the queen, whose godson I have the honour to be, had sought safety some time before. But my mother, disliking the country, and having received letters from her husband’s brother, my revered uncle, whose namesake I am, offering her an asylum in Antigua, she determined to avail herself of his kindness. Thus it was I became a resident in this island; and during my frequent visits at government house, when loyalty ruled there, I met my dearest Zulmiera. You are aware, I believe, that my uncle, who was formerly a merchant of the city of London, was joined with Sir Thomas Warner in a grant of land situated in this island, the grantor of which was the martyr Charles. Upon part of that land the brother of young Phillip Warner is erecting a new dwelling, and cultivating the surrounding country. It will be a fine place when it is finished; and Warner deserves it should be, for he made a gallant defence in 1651, when old Noll sent Sir George Ayscue to reduce this island, because, forsooth, it stood out for its lawful sovereign. But to resume my story, which the brave actions of Mr. Warner drove from my head. To-day, I confided to my mother our mutual engagement ; she has listened to the voice of her only, her beloved son, and is prepared to receive you as a daughter. To-morrow, I will call upon the governor—although I hate the sight of him, from his high-crowned hat down to his ugly looking calf-skins—and make my proposals in form. If he consents with a good grace, well; if not, I feel assured my dear Zulmiera will not fear to leave his house and protection for the home and