ed them a
guide, and they immediately directed their course toward Chepstow. But
the Captain was doomed to experience disappointment; no such carriage or
persons as he described had been seen; and he could only suppose Jarvis
had been misinformed, or that they had pursued their way farther into
the country. Indulging this last idea, he determined to continue the
pursuit; but every effort proved ineffectual to discover the lost
Ellenor; and, to add to his distress, he received an express to return
on board, the fleet being ready to sail.

Reluctantly he obeyed, and, on reaching Weymouth, was met by Mrs.
Howard, who with increasing malignancy endeavoured to revenge herself
for the temporary respite he had enjoyed. Mr. Talton accompanied the
Captain on board, where, promising to use every endeavour during his
absence from England to discover Ellenor, he bade him adieu, and,
returning on shore, proceeded to Bath, to renew his addresses to Lady
Corbet.

No particular occurrence marked the voyage: the name of St. Ledger was
still mentioned with regret by the crew, and dwelt on with a painful
delight by Frederick and his uncle; who passed his hours in painful
retrospects, and conjectures for the present state of his Ellenor,
enlivened only by the praises the friendly Frederick bestowed on the
person and interesting manners of his son, so greatly resembling those
of the deceased Sir Henry.

CHAPTER VII.

More than twelve months had elapsed since the death of Sir Henry, when
the fleet returned to St. Helena. The pleasure experienced by his
officers and crew, on attaining this favourite spot, extended itself to
the bosom of the Captain: the mind of Harland too yielded to its
influence; the stern contraction of his brow gave place to the smile of
satisfaction, and, with a heart unwontedly attuned to cheerfulness, he
accompanied the Captain and Frederick to the Governor's, where a large
party were assembled, not only of the principal inhabitants, but
several officers and passengers belonging to some French vessels bound
for Pondicherry, and which had arrived there the preceding day.

Amongst the passengers, the Marchioness de Valois, her daughters, and a
Mademoiselle de St. Ursule, claimed pre-eminence; the beauty of the
latter, indeed, gained universal admiration, nor could the bosom of
Harland long resist the influence of a softer passion. The Governor's
nephew likewise yielded an unresisting captive to charms unequ