“But she has not forgotten you, Roland! You are the larger part of her life! From the time I met her on the _Asia_——Did I tell you that I came over on the same ship with Force and his party?” “No. Capt. Silver told me that he had set you ashore on the coast of England, not far from Penzance, and so I supposed that you had come home; but I did not know on what ship or in what company! Go on! you were talking about Rosemary.” “We met by chance on board the _Asia_. Of course, there was great surprise on both sides. And, of course, I told them all about the capture of the _Kitty_ by the pirates. And the first question my niece asked was about you. And from this she has been in a state of continual anxiety about you—anxiety that has been much increased since she learned of the capture of the _Argente_ by the _Eagle_.” “You told her I was with the pirates?” “As a captive, yes! as a well-treated captive! I was not likely to repeat to her a tale that I did not myself believe, about your having joined the crew,” said the captain, indignantly. Roland again covered his face with his hands, and bowed his head. “Boy I what am I to think of your silence?” demanded the old skipper, more in sorrow than in anger. “Oh, my dear old captain, you will think as well of me as you can.” “Are you Capt. Silver’s mate? Yes or no?” “I cannot tell you.” “Roland, if you were the pirate’s mate, you would be brave enough to avow it. If you were not, you would be sure to deny it. I do not understand your silence.” The young man did not attempt to explain, but sat with his elbows on his knees and his head bowed upon his hands, in an attitude of despair. “I will ask you one other question. Perhaps you will answer it. Did you recognize in the pirate Silver the man whom you once knew as Angus Anglesea?” “Yes, I recognized him,” replied Roland, wearily. “And he recognized you as the youth he was accustomed to see with the Forces?” “Yes, he knew me at once.” “It must have been a strange meeting between you.” “It was.” “Tell me all about it, Roland, my lad. What did you say to him? What did he say to you when you first met? How did he account for having two characters and two names, eh? Tell me all about it, lad.” “I cannot. Believe me, I cannot. Oh, my old captain! My dear old captain! It wrings my heart to refuse you! I would do anything to please you, but I cannot do this which you ask.” “I don’t understand! I don’t understand! I don’t believe I shall ever understand!” exclaimed the perplexed captain, shaking his gray head. “Perhaps you never will in this world, but I hope that you will in the world to come, when the secrets of all hearts shall be revealed. In the meantime—oh, judge me as charitably as you can!” pleaded Roland.