Could a woman capable of conceiving such a pledge ever falter, much less prove unfaithful? Never. And Miss Gillespie was as unmoved by the insinuations of those around her, as is the calm and placid moon by the howlings of a hungry wolf. As the two orphans sat apart, occasionally exchanging a few words, and then relapsing into silence, the first lieutenant, an old and worthy officer, who, from the want of family influence, had long been denied promotion, touched by the sadness of the fair captive, approached and respectfully accosted them. He first confined himself to inquiries respecting their health and comfort, and made some cheering observations on their prospects of liberation. He then, after musing a few moments, left them and whispered a few words to the officer of the deck. The latter nodded intelligence, and immediately gave an order which required those of the crew hovering about to go forward to aid in its execution. The lieutenant then returning said, “Young lady, may I speak a few words with you?” and leading her a few steps from where her brother sat, continued, “I have two daughters at home, one of them about your age, and when I think how I should feel if either of them were in your almost unprotected situation, I sympathize deeply with you. Indeed I am not the only one. There is a general feeling among the officers to protect you if need be. You may rely upon our disposition to serve you—and now answer me frankly—Does your extreme sadness proceed solely from your detention here, and the escape and apparent desertion of your friend?” “Oh no, sir!” cried she, immeasurably relieved by his words, “whatever may have induced Mr. Talbot to leave us, I am sure that he has acted for the best. You judge rightly,” she added, “in supposing that I have other cause of anxiety than what proceeds from our detention, which, if we be not most unjustly dealt by, must terminate so soon. I have not dared to tell my brother what horrid fears distract me, for I know he would attempt something violent, that would most probably separate us, and I love my only protector.” “Our fears then are not unfounded, and the mystery of that night is partly solved,” said the lieutenant, in a soliloquizing tone. “What night? Of what mystery do you speak?” exclaimed the lady. “Of the night you came on board. But is it possible you are ignorant of what I allude to?” “I have not the most remote idea; Frank and I slept soundly the whole night, and did not awake until late the next morning. I remember that at first we thought that an attempt was being made to stupefy or smother us with something that was burned, but, as we were not molested, we concluded that we had been mistaken. For God’s sake, tell me what happened?” “Young lady,” he answered, “I have ever since sought an opportunity to speak to you; why is it that you have confined yourself below?”