He read the card, rose from his chair, and left the house, as dignified as though he had been on the quarter deck of the Ben Lomond. He was too proud to ask or to offer any explanations. We will not undertake to say how bad he felt. Perhaps he wished he had died in the Pensacola hospital, when he lay at death's door; perhaps he felt like rushing into the hottest of a fight, and laying down his life for the cause he had espoused, without thinking that this would be suicide, rather than a generous sacrifice to a holy duty. Mr. Pillgrim had informed him that he would meet with a "chilly" reception. It was even worse than that; but as it was evidently caused by the traitor's machinations, he was content to suffer. If she chose to let the words of the wretched conspirator against his country bias her against him, he could not help it; and his only remaining duty was to submit with the best possible grace. Of course he could not leave Newport without calling at the Naval Academy. Mr. Revere, the commandant of midshipmen, was his firm friend, and it would be treason to him to leave the city without seeing him. He was cordially received, and his experience in Mobile Bay was listened to with the most friendly interest. "I need not ask you if you have been to Commodore Portington's," said Mr. Revere. "I have, sir." "Well, how is Miss Portington?" "I did not see her," replied Somers, who, conscious that he had done no wrong, was not disposed to conceal his misfortune from so good a friend. "Did not see her!" exclaimed the commandant. Somers explained. The story of Pillgrim's treason had been circulated, but the particulars by which it had been exposed were known to only a few. Mr. Revere saw at once the cause of the rupture. "The villain has sent her the bond you signed," said he. "Perhaps he has." "Probably she knows nothing of the circumstances under which you signed it." "I have had no opportunity to explain." "But, Somers, you musn't be too stiff. Any lady would be fully justified in refusing to see a gentleman who signed a paper like that, which contained her name in such a connection." "I think so myself; and therefore I will not blame her." "Pillgrim got you to sign that document for this very purpose." "I surmised as much." "But it is a wrong to the lady as well as to you, to permit this thing to go on." "I have no remedy." "Write her a note, explaining your position." "My motives would be misconstrued." "Then I shall act for you." Somers went to his hotel, and Mr. Revere did act it for him. Kate was not satisfied. A high-minded man would have died rather than sign such a paper. So would Somers, if the bond had any real meaning. The commandant was not successful in the negotiation, as mediators seldom are in such cases. "I am satisfied, Mr. Revere," said Somers: but he was as far from satisfied as a young man could be.