k silk widow's ribbon around the
frill of her cap, and a broader band about that muslin waist--talking of
those they had both lost years ago, and trusting they were in heaven, as
they believed they were; hope to meet again themselves in Louisiana, and
see a great deal of one another in time to come--not a doubt of it! Yes,
the cruise was more than half over, and he was quite tired of the sea.
She, however, thought the sea beautiful, and never tired of looking at
it. True, not rolling on top of it all the time--liked to sleep without
rocking.

When the sea-breeze came fluttering up the gorge again, through the
canes and the coffee-trees, and shaking up the superb foliage of the
tropical forest, with the brilliant feathered tribes nestling close
together on the lofty branches, and before the first salt breath had
been exhaled in the clouds about the topmost peaks of the Blue
Mountains, thousands of feet in the air, the party at Escondido had
again returned to the broad piazzas, where, with blinds open, and
swinging in cool grass hammocks, the men took siesta, while the ladies
sought the pretty bowers within.

So passed one happy day, like the one gone before; and before the close
of the week Dr. Darcantel joined the party, to take the place of Colonel
Lawton; and a few days after old Clinker crackled up, very dry and
thorny, with parchment in his pockets to take inventories, and do musty
business generally.

Then the fair women, escorted by the navy men, and the Droger and
Stingo, took their departure for the town house and ships in Kingston,
leaving Paddy Burns, and Tom Stewart, and Clinker with Piron to close up
matters, prior to his leaving the island. Paul Darcantel said he would
remain with them likewise, since he had got through his business in
Spanish Town and Port Royal, and wanted quiet. Madame Rosalie was the
last to leave; and before her husband lifted her into the saddle, they
stood together on the piazza, she looking with that still yearning gaze
over the sea, and seeing nothing but breaking waves. That was the last
look from Escondido!

CHAPTER XLIV.

SNUFF OUT OF A DIAMOND BOX.

"Hark! a sound,
Far and slight,
Breathes around
On the night;
High and higher,
Nigh and nigher,
Like a fire
Roaring bright."

"Not a word to each other; we kept