“You will not expose her to these diseases?” demanded Mr. Frisbone, not a little alarmed at the proposition. “I cannot prevent her from doing a duty which is as binding upon her as it is upon me,” replied Mrs. Frisbone, with a sort of solemnity that greatly impressed her husband. “Very well; and I shall go with you,” continued the benevolent American noble. “If it is your duty,--and I don’t dispute that it is,--it is as much mine, and I shall share it with you. But we must not expose any of these boys to the contagion. I wouldn’t have one of them catch the small-pox or the ship-fever for a million dollars. I haven’t any thing in particular to do on board of this vessel; and I can just as well be on board of the other, doing what I can to make the sick comfortable.” The adults and the officers were astonished when the decision of the Frisbone party was announced. Capt. Fairfield and O’Hara did their best to reason them out of the purpose; but that was useless. Mrs. Frisbone declared that God had given her this duty to perform, and she should be recreant to her trust if she failed to do it. This was her opportunity to do the will of Heaven; and she could no more neglect it than she could refuse her daily bread. “If I take any disease, and die, I shall die at the post of duty; and I should be afraid to die anywhere else,” said the heroic woman; “and I shall not have lived in vain. Louise can do as she pleases. I do not ask her or my husband to go with me.” “But Miss Rodwood has been an invalid, and it will be a pretty severe experience for her to act as a nurse on board of a mere hulk, taking care of soldiers and sailors,” said Capt. Fairfield. “Perhaps it is just the experience my sister needs; and it may prove to be a blessing to her,” replied Mrs. Frisbone. “If she can put her whole mind to this humane task, I am sure it will be a benefit to her.” The lady evidently had views of her own on this subject; and, as it appeared that her sister’s mind was somewhat affected, it was possible that she understood the case better than any other person.