ns and her behaviour in my room--
was it possible that she was partial to me, more partial than she had
asserted to her father when she was questioned?--and her taking away the
ring!

CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

A CONSPIRACY, WHICH ENDS SATISFACTORILY TO ALL PARTIES--PRIVATEERING IS
ABANDONED, AND CAPTAIN LEVEE AND PHILIP SERVE THE KING.

The night passed away in attempts at analysing the real feelings of Miss
Trevannion, and also my own towards her; and now that I was to be
separated from her, I discovered what I really had not before imagined,
that my future happiness was seriously endangered by my sentiments
towards her; in short, dear Madam, that I was most seriously in love.

"And now," thought I, "of what avail is it to have made this discovery
now, except it were to convince me, as Miss Trevannion had said, that it
were better that I were gone."

I did not fail to call to mind her observation about my unknown
parentage and family, and this I reflected upon with pleasure, as it was
the chief objection raised by her, and, at the same time, one that I
could proudly remove, from my birth being really more distinguished than
her own. Should I make it known? How could I?--we should, probably,
never meet again. All this, and much more, was canvassed in my mind
during the night, and also another question of more real importance,
which was, what I was to do, and where I was to go? On this last point
I could not make up my mind, but I determined that I would not leave
Liverpool for a day or two, but would take up my quarters at my old
lodgings, where I had lived with Captain Levee.

As the day dawned, I rose from the bed, and, taking my valise on my
shoulder, I went softly down-stairs, opened the street-door, and,
shutting it again carefully, I hastened down the street as fast as I
could. I met nobody, for it was still early, and arrived at the
lodging-house, where I had some trouble to obtain admittance; the old
lady at last opening the door in great dishabille.

"Captain Elrington! Is it possible," exclaimed she, "why, what's the
matter?"

"Nothing, Madam," replied I, "but that I have come to take possession of
your lodgings for a few days."

"And welcome, Sir," replied she; "will you walk up-stairs while I make
myself more fit to be seen. I was in bed and fast asleep when you
knocked; I do believe I was dreaming of my good friend, Captain Levee."

I went up-stairs and threw myself on the old settee which w