"Yes, sir, I mind it well; it was the beginning of the war with France, and much about the time that Frederick of Prussia opened his seven years' war, and Admiral Byng did not beat the French in the first action, and was shot in consequence. A difficult job Lieutenant Everard had, too, to bring home his young baby, and escape the French cruisers. I mind his coming home as well as if it had been yesterday, and Madam Everard taking care of the little motherless boy, that's the captain now--this young lady's father--as if he had been her own child, and the poor lieutenant going to sea, and getting shot the next year. He died as a brave officer might wish to die, on the deck of his ship, lashing the enemy's bowsprit to his own mainmast, that she might not get away--" "But I forget dates; in what year was that?" asked Captain Rochard, interrupting the old man, who might otherwise have run on to a much further length in his recollections. "That was in the year '56 or '57 to the best of my mind," answered Paul. "The captain's a little above forty, and it's about that time ago." "Thank you, my friend," said Captain Rochard; "I shall remember the dates, and will put them down by-and-by. Your grandfather, I believe," he continued, addressing Mabel, "married in the south of France, where my relatives were residing at the time. Alas! this fearful revolution has swept off many of them; but still some few, especially among the older ones, survive. The young, and strong, and healthy were the chief victims. I'll say no more. I'll do my best to aid your father, and enable him to recover his rights. I wish that he was in England at present, that I might consult with him first. I am quite willing, at all risks, to go over to France, and to endeavour to bring over the witnesses to the marriage, or the documents which may prove it." Mabel expressed her thanks to Captain Rochard, who now inquired what business took her to London. She hesitated for some time. At last she thought, "He's true and kind, and though he may not be able to assist me, I shall have his sympathy and good wishes." She then told him frankly of the dangerous position in which Harry Tryon was placed, of course asserting her belief in his innocence. "That fine young fellow? I know him well," said the captain. "I am sure he would not commit an unworthy action. I have more power to help him than you may suppose. Give me all the particulars with which you are acquainted, and I will try what can be done. Do you, however, proceed in your undertaking; I have great hopes that your efforts will not be without a happy result. That boy must not be put to death. I would go through anything to save him."