Agatha Volney, a light-hearted, affectionate, generous girl, loved her intended husband, Lieutenant O’Loughlin, with true affection, and looked forward with cheerfulness and hope to his being made a commander—the time fixed upon for their union. William Thornton, in his letter, observing that delays were dangerous, playfully hinted that O’Loughlin’s whiskers were turning into a greyish tint, and that if Agatha waited ten years longer, they would be of a uniform colour, and the commandership still in the clouds. Not long after the receipt of these letters, the inmates of the villa were startled, and most agreeably surprised, by the entrance of O’Loughlin himself. Agatha and Mabel were alone in the drawing-room when he entered; before a word could be said he threw his arm round the blushing, but delighted Agatha, and kissed her with fond affection, saying— “I am entitled to this; I am, by Jove! I have been made commander.” Then looking around, he perceived the tall and graceful form of Mabel Arden; he gazed at her for a moment bewildered; her extreme loveliness, and sweet expressive features, amazed him. “Impossible!” he exclaimed; “and yet the eyes are those of Miss Arden.” “Yes,” said Mabel, with her sweet, captivating smile, and extending her hand to the delighted sailor; “I am Mabel. You cannot have forgotten the little deserted girl you so generously and nobly protected.” “Forgot!” exclaimed the sailor, kissing the hand held out to him; “that would be impossible. St. Patrick, if William were here, he would no longer say you were—hem—hem——” Commander O’Loughlin coughed; he was on the point of saying his friend Thornton thought the beautiful girl before him was plain. Mabel laughed; and shaking her head, she said playfully— “Oh, I know that dear William thinks his little sister is plain. What then? Beauty is not the lot of all.” “Beauty!” exclaimed O’Loughlin; “by the immortal gods——” “Take care,” exclaimed Agatha Volney, shaking her finger at her lover, “how you call upon the immortal gods in speaking of the beauty of any other fair one, except your liege lady’s; so sit down, quietly and contentedly, and tell us about yourself and friend, and relate all your wonderful adventures.” The delighted O’Loughlin sat down beside his fair betrothed, with Mabel on the other side, and commenced a recital of the several events that had occurred since their separation. Before he had concluded Madame Volney and Mr. Stanmore were announced. Mr. Stanmore informed his friends of the arrival of the frigate from the Cape, saying—