xclaimed the sailor; "how would I hug it to my
heart--make it joint partner with my child in my affections, if it would
only bring a fair unspotted name in exchange for the gold it might take
away. Blessed poverty!"

It would appear that Robin was too much occupied by his own feelings to
be on the alert as usual; for Dalton was the first to perceive a man
stealing along by the side of, but not on, the path they had quitted; he
pointed him out to Robin's attention. In an instant the little Ranger
commenced reconnoitring; and came back without delay, to tell the
Captain that it was no other than Jack Roupall.

"Jack Roupall!" repeated Dalton, returning instantly to the path they
had quitted, saying aloud at the same time, "Why, Jack, what sends you
on this tack?"

Whether from some sudden tremor or astonishment, it cannot be
ascertained, nor could the ruffian himself account for it, he discharged
a pistol, evidently without aim, and Robin as instantly struck it from
his hand.

It was this report that had so terrified Barbara. But there was another
ear upon which it struck--in the solitude of that wild room in Cecil
Place. It sent the blood rushing to his evil brain;--he clasped his
hands in exultation; for the death-sound was to him the voice of
security; and he prayed--(that such wretches are allowed to pray!)--that
the bullet was at that moment wading in the life-stream of the
Buccaneer.

CHAPTER III.

Brother of Fear, more gaily clad,
The merrier fool o' th' two, yet quite as mad;
Sire of Repentance! child of fond Desire!
That blow'st the chymic's and the lover's fire,
Leading them still insensibly on
By the strange witchcraft of "anon."

COWLEY AGAINST HOPE.

To account for Walter De Guerre's sudden departure, we must revert to
the time when, silent and solitary, he shaded the glare of the
night-lamp from his eyes, and threw himself along the black oak form to
meditate and mourn over events that appeared to him, at least, now
beyond his own control.

Whatever others may think as to our bringing on our own misfortunes, we
hardly ever agree in the hard task of self-condemnation--a task of
peculiar difficulty to the young and the ardent. They may even be
inwardly dissatisfied with themselves, yet they care not to express it
openly, lest they may be thought little of;--a timidity natural in
youth, and arising, not unfrequently, from diffidence in its own powers.