"But, sir," replied Cecilia, much relieved, for Pickersgill had stood by her in the most respectful manner, "you are, I presume, the captain of the smuggler? Pray answer me one question more--What became of the boat with Lord B---? He is my father." "I left him in his boat, without a hair of his head touched, young lady; but I took away the oars." "Then he will perish!" cried Cecilia, putting her handkerchief to her eyes. "No, young lady; he is on shore, probably, by this time. Although I took away his means of assisting to capture us, I left him the means of gaining the land. It is not every one who would have done that, after his conduct to us." "I begged him not to go," said Cecilia; "I told him that it was not fair, and that he had no quarrel with the smugglers." "I thank you even for that," replied Pickersgill. "And now, miss--I have not the pleasure of recollecting his lordship's family name--" "Ossulton, sir," cried Cecilia, looking at Pickersgill with surprise. "Then with your permission, Miss Ossulton, I will now make you my confidant: excuse my using so free a term, but it is because I wish to relieve your fears. At the same time, I cannot permit you to divulge all my intentions to the whole party on board. I feel that I may trust you, for you have courage, and where there is courage there generally is truth; but you must first tell me whether you will condescend to accept these terms?" Cecilia demurred a moment; the idea of being the confidant of a smuggler rather startled her: but still, her knowledge of what his intentions were, if she might not reveal them, might be important; as, perhaps, she might dissuade him. She could be in no worse position than she was now, and she might be in a much better. The conduct of Pickersgill had been such, up to the present, as to inspire confidence; and, although he defied the laws, he appeared to regard the courtesies of life. Cecilia was a courageous girl, and at length she replied:-- "Provided what you desire me to keep secret will not be injurious to any one, or compromise me in my peculiar situation, I consent."