“Have courage, my love,” she whispered, through her tears—“have courage. Roland may have made his escape from the _Argente_ before she was captured by the _Eagle_; or he may be, by a mistake, with the other prisoners on board a man-of-war. Have courage, dear love.” “Oh, Mrs. Force, I cannot—I cannot any longer! I feel as if I should give up and die!” moaned the girl. Mr. Force handed Odalite into the carriage, and then, turning to the old skipper, said: “Capt. Grandiere, if you will get in with the ladies, I will take a seat with the driver, and we will all go on together.” “I will take the seat by the driver, and thank you, if you will allow me; but I cannot be shut up in the inside of that hack; I would rather walk,” replied the old sailor. “As you please,” said Mr. Force; and he helped the skipper to mount the box, and then entered the carriage and seated himself with his “womenkind.” “Where to, sir?” inquired the driver. “To the office of the commissioner of prisoners; and on your way call at the hotel where you took us up.” “Yes, sir.” The carriage drove off, passed through the navy yard gate again, and took its way up Garrison Street to Pennsylvania Avenue, and thence to the West End. Half an hour’s rapid drive brought the party to the front of their hotel. “My dear,” said the squire to his wife, “I cannot take you and these girls to the commissioner’s office. I will take you upstairs, and ask your brother if he would like to accompany me.” “Very well, Abel,” replied the lady. Mr. Force got out, handed down his wife and the young ladies, and escorted them into the hotel. They found the earl and his two nieces in the parlor. The two girls started up with the question: “What news?” “No very definite news,” replied their father; “but your mamma will tell you all we have learned. I am going to the office of the commissioner of prisoners, to see if I can meet Le. If I can, I will wait until he is at leisure, and bring him here. Enderby, would you like to go with me and see what it is?” “Very much,” replied the earl. And the two men went out together. They entered the carriage, which was driven off immediately. It was but a short drive, and in less than ten minutes the carriage drew up, and the gentlemen alighted. Capt. Grandiere climbed down from his seat, and the three entered the building together.