"Thank you, Mr. Somers. That sounds hearty and honest, as father would say." "I do not wish you to feel an interest in me from a sense of duty. I shall not write any letters from a sense of duty, or even because I have promised to do so. I shall write to you because--because I can't help it," stammered Somers, almost overcome by the violence of his exertions. "I thank you, Mr. Somers, and I am sure your letters will be all the more welcome from my knowledge of the fact." "Good by," said he, gently pressing the little hand he held. "Good by," she replied; and to his great satisfaction and delight, the pressure was returned--a kind of telegraphic signal, infinitely more expressive than all the words in the spelling-book, strung into sentences, could have been to a young man in his desperate condition. Mr. Ensign Somers was now entirely satisfied. That gentle pressure of the hand had atoned for all her reserve and coldness, real or imaginary, and made the future bright and pleasant to look upon. Undoubtedly Mr. Somers was a silly young fellow; but there is some consolation in believing that he was just like all young men under similar circumstances. Mr. Pillgrim followed him out of the house, and they hastened down to the wharf to take the steamer for New York. On the passage the two officers treated each other with courtesy and consideration, but there appeared to be no strong sympathy of thought or feeling between them, and they were not drawn so closely together as they might have been under similar circumstances, if there had been more of opinion and sentiment common between them. On their arrival at Philadelphia, they found the Chatauqua was still in the hands of the workmen, and would not go into commission for a week or ten days. They reported to the commandant of the navy yard, and took up their quarters at the "Continental," where Somers found his old friend Mr. Waldron, who had been detached from the Rosalie at his own request, and ordered to the Chatauqua, in which he was to serve as executive officer. This was splendid news to Somers, for he regarded Mr. Waldron as a true and trusty friend, in whom he could with safety confide. "Do you know Lieutenant Pillgrim?" asked Somers, after they had discussed their joint information in regard to the new ship. "I am not personally acquainted with him, though I have heard his name mentioned. He is a Virginian, I think." "Yes." "If I mistake not, there were some doubts about his loyalty, though he never tendered his resignation; he has been kept in the background." "He seems to be a loyal and true man." "No doubt of it, or he would not have been appointed to the Chatauqua." "He has some respect for the rebels, but no sympathy."