ons passed through my mind as I was
forming this resolve. I will not deny that there was a little _French_
gallantry mixed up with better motives. Instead of being young and
lovely, had Mademoiselle Besancon been old and plain, I think--that is--
I--I fear--she would have been left to Antoine and his raft of chairs!
As it was, my resolve was made; and I had no time to reflect upon
motives.

"Mademoiselle Besancon!" I called out of the door.

"Ha! Some one calls me;" said she, turning suddenly. "Mon Dieu! who is
there?"

"One who, Mademoiselle--"

"_Peste_!" muttered the old steward, angrily, as his eyes fell upon my
face. He was under the belief that I wished to share his raft.

"_Peste_!" he repeated; "'twill not carry two, monsieur."

"Nor one," I replied. "Mademoiselle," I continued, addressing myself to
the lady; "those chairs will not serve,--they will rather be the means
of drowning you,--here--take this! it will save your life."

As I spoke I had pulled off the preserver, and held it towards her.

"What is this?" she inquired hastily; and then, comprehending all, she
continued, "No--no--no, Monsieur! Yourself--yourself!"

"I believe I can swim ashore without it. Take it, Mademoiselle! Quick!
quick! there is no time to be lost. In three minutes the boat will go
down. The other is not near yet: besides, she may fear to approach the
fire! See the flames! they come this way! Quick! Permit me to fasten
it for you?"

"My God!--my God! generous stranger--!"

"No words; now--now it is on! Now to the water! Have no fear! plunge
in, and strike out from the wreck! fear not! I shall follow and guide
you! Away!"

The girl, partly influenced by terror, and partly yielding to my
remonstrances, sprang off into the water; and the next moment I saw her
body afloat, distinguishable by the whitish drapery of her dress, that
still kept above the surface.

At that instant I felt some one grasping me by the hand. I turned
round. It was Antoine.

"Forgive me, noble youth! forgive me!" he cried, while the tears ran
down his cheeks.

I would have replied, but at the moment I perceived a man rush forward
to the guards, over which the girl had just passed. I could see that
his eye was fixed upon her, and that he had marked the life-preserver!
His intention was evident--he had mounted the guard-rail, and was just
springing off as I reached the spot. I caught him by the collar, and
drew him back. As