“They do better,” said she, with a glowing cheek and sparkling eye; “they find actions. You have proved your sincerity again and again in your dauntless defiance of danger. Yes, and I will not draw you back; woman though I am I will not weaken you, nor bid you pause for my sake: rather let the thought of me nerve you in the hour of danger, make you stronger, braver, more intrepid in a worthy cause. And should our hope be fulfilled――ah! believe me, I will try to follow your example, and bear the agony for your sake, that you may wear a martyr’s crown!” “My own, true-hearted love!” was his only answer. CHAPTER XVIII. “Love, I feel thy bitter smart Wildly throbbing through my heart, Waking, sleeping, Smiling, weeping, Still I think of thee!” Mr. Barham and his daughters were in London at this time, and a few days after the Duncans’ arrival, Hilary and Sybil went together to call on them. The girls were very cordial and glad to meet, especially Dora, who had ascertained that the _Pandanus_ had arrived in England, and was, in consequence, in a desperate state of internal anxiety to hear some news of Maurice. While they were chatting together, Mr. Barham himself walked in, very gracefully gracious when he discovered who the visitors were; quite surprised to learn that they were visiting Sybil, and in London, without his knowledge, and taking some civil interest in the present object of their chief concern. “I do not know any thing about these new steamers,” observed he, “I have never had an opportunity of studying these subjects; yet it is an important one, one which deserves the attention of those who hold a large stake in their country’s welfare; being a subject which must strongly affect the interest of a great naval power. I must take the matter into consideration.” “I am sure my brother would be happy to show you his new ship, if you would honor the _Erratic_ with a visit,” observed Sybil, very proud of Maurice and his steamer also. “Well, Mrs. Farrington, that would be a good idea; what do you say, Isabel? suppose we were to make an excursion to Woolwich!” observed he. “It really would be worth while,” said Miss Barham; “as you say, sir, one ought to know something about the great means of defense for our nation. I think it would be a proper thing to do; and as we know both the captain and lieutenant a little we could not have a better opportunity than now.” “Be it so, then,” was his answer. “How shall we arrange about time? it might be we should go at an inconvenient hour, without some previous arrangement. How can you communicate with your brother, Mrs. Farrington?” “He will be up with us this afternoon, I expect,” replied Sybil; “shall I send him to you if he comes? That would be simple.” “Exactly! that would simplify the matter, as you say. Isabel, the gentleman might dine with us, I think. The table will not be too full.”