"The heaviest blow has fallen upon the Hubbards," said Harry. After a pause, in which aunt and niece had prayed for the mourners, Elinor again made some inquiries. "Were all in the Petrel at the time?" asked Elinor. "Smith and our poor Charlie, the negro and a boy were crossing a bay in the Petrel, when she capsized, by the bad management of the negro, who had been drinking. The rest of us were on shore." "You were not in any danger then?" said Elinor, as if relieved that he had not even been exposed to past peril. "I owe my life to my friend Van Horne," he replied. Elinor shuddered, and turned deadly pale again. Harry threw his arms about her and embraced her fervently, until Elinor, who had now partially recovered the common current of her ideas, made a gentle struggle to release herself. "But you were not in the Petrel?" she said again, as if anxious to understand all that related to him. "We all went to our friends as soon as we saw the schooner capsize," said Harry. "Hubert de Vaux told me that Harry swam some distance, with the hope of saving poor Charles, who could not swim himself," said Miss Agnes. "It was in that way, my child, that he was exposed." "To save Charlie!--that was like you," said Elinor, with a glow on her cheek. "There was no danger--no merit whatever in doing so--I have often swum farther," said Harry; "the only difficulty was caused by my becoming entangled in some ropes, which drew me under water." "But where was the boat?" "It was not at hand at the moment; they brought it as soon as possible." "Did Charlie speak?" asked Elinor, sadly. "My poor friend was insensible when I reached him." Again a moment's pause ensued. "I must not forget to tell you, love, that we owe a great deal to another friend of ours," said Harry, smiling. "You will be glad to hear that Bruno behaved nobly; he first discovered the ropes in which we were entangled." "Bruno!--Where is my noble dog? Pray call him; let me see him!" Harry went to the door, and there was Bruno lying across the threshold, as if waiting to be admitted; he came in at Harry's call, but not with his usual bound; he seemed to understand that if his old master had been saved, his master's friend was lost. The noble creature was much caressed by Miss Wyllys and Elinor; and we are not ashamed to confess that the latter kissed him more than once. At length, Miss Agnes observing that her niece was very much recovered, rose from her seat, and stooping to kiss Elinor's forehead, placed her hand in that of Harry, saying with much feeling, as she joined them, "God bless you, my children!" and then left the room.