and through the grate and grasped mine. "I
do," she said, "if I'm damned for it."

"Right, then; you shall be warned in time. Go now, for your features
are any thing but calm."

The nun vanished as the Superior entered.

"I have been taking advantage of your confidence, senora," said I; "I
have been trying to persuade my cousin that she is discontented and
unhappy, but without success."

"Ah! no fear of that, senor," cried the lady, with a smile, while Mr.
Stowe stood aghast; "girls who have been disappointed in love make
good nuns."

"Then you will dare to trust me to see her again. I promised that I
would call once more before I sail, with your permission."

"_Si, Senor_, whenever you please."

After partaking of some very fine fruit and wine, we took our leave
with many thanks.

"Well, Frank, how you startled me," said Mr. Stowe, as we drove off.
"You told the truth, I suppose; but the truth is not to be told at all
times."

"Oh!" said I, "I only told half the truth--"

"Is it possible that Sister Agatha consents to escape?"

"She has promised to do so," I replied.

Mr. Stowe expressed so much surprise that I found that he had had no
faith in my success--but the good gentleman was now overjoyed.
"Capital, Frank!" said he, "you would make a splendid diplomatist. Now
what do you say to going directly aboard ship and telling your tidings
to the officers and Pedro? We will take a boat at the mole and get
aboard in time for dinner."

"Agreed; how happy we shall make Mr. Stewart and Don Pedro."

Mr. Stowe prophesied correctly. The officers of the Gentile were at
dinner in the cabin when we suddenly burst upon them. I need not say
that all hands were no less surprised than delighted at the
intelligence we had to communicate. I thought my hands would be wrung
off, so severely were they shaken.

After dinner Mr. Stowe and myself returned on shore, and in a family
conclave there also stated the result of our visit to the convent.

CHAPTER IX.

_Yellow Fever and Love-making._

The succeeding three days passed most happily with me. I grew more and
more in love with Ellen. We visited all the places of note in the
neighborhood of the town, and were even projecting an excursion to
Havana in the steamboat, when an event occurred that came very near
sending me on a much longer voyage. One afternoon, while waiting for
Captain Smith with Langley at the United States Cafe, I was suddenly
taken with a dis