Sometimes, for a moment, it may have seemed to Clarice that Bondo Emmins could alone help her effectually out of her bewilderment and perplexity. She had not now the missionary with whom to consult, in whose wisdom to confide; and Bondo had a marvellous influence over the child. He was disposed to take advantage of that influence, as he gave evidence, not long after the exhibition of his control over the boat-load of delinquents, by asking Clarice if she were never going to reward his constancy. He seemed at this time desirous of bringing himself before her as an object of compassion, if nothing better; but she, having heard him patiently to the end of what he had to urge in his own behalf and that of her parents, replied in words that were certainly of the moment's inspiration, and almost beyond her will; for Clarice had been of late so much troubled, no wonder if she should mistake expediency for right. "I am married already," she said. "You see this ring. Do you not know what it has meant to me, Bondo, since I first put it on? Death, as you call it, cannot part Luke Merlyn and me. 'Heart and hand,' he said. Can I forget it? My hand is free,--but he holds it; and my heart is his.--But I can serve you better than you ask for, Bondo Emmins. You learned the name of the vessel that sailed from Havre and was lost. Take a voyage. Go to France. See if Gabriel has any friends there who have a right to him, and will serve him better than I can; and if he has such friends, I myself will take Gabriel to them. Yes, I will do it.--You will love a sailor's life, Bondo. You were born for that. Diver's Bay is not the place for you. I have long seen it. The sea will serve you better than I ever could. Go, and Clarice will thank you. Oh, Bondo, I beg you!" At these words the man so appealed to became scarlet. He seemed to reflect on what Clarice had said,--seriously to ponder; but his amazement at her words had almost taken away his power of speech. "The Gabriel sailed from Havre," said he, slowly, "If I went out as a deckhand in the next ship that sails"-- "Yes!" "To scour the country--I hope I shan't find what I look for; you couldn't live without him.--Very likely you will think me a fool for my pains. You will not give me yourself. You would have me take away the lad from you."--He looked at Clarice as if his words passed his belief. "Yes, only do as I say,--for I know it must be the best for us all. There is nothing else to be done,--no other way to live." "France is a pretty big country to hunt over for a man whose name you don't know," said Emmins, after a little pause.