both Cecilia and Mrs Lascelles felt some
degree of gratitude towards him; and although anxious to be relieved
from so strange a position, they had gradually acquired a perfect
confidence in him; and this had produced a degree of familiarity on
their parts, although never ventured upon by the smuggler. As Corbett
was at the table, one of the men came down and made a sign. Corbett,
shortly after quitted the table and went on deck. "I wish, my lord, you
would come up a moment, and see if you can make this flag out," said
Corbett, giving a significant nod to Pickersgill. "Excuse me, ladies,
one moment," said Pickersgill, who went on deck.

"It is the boat of the yacht coming on board," said Corbett; "and Lord
B--- is in the stern-sheets with the gentleman who was with him."

"And how many men in the boat?--let me see--only four. Well, let his
lordship and his friend come: when they are on the deck, have the men
ready in case of accident; but if you can manage to tell the boat's crew
that they are to go on board again, and get rid of them that way, so
much the better. Arrange this with Adams, and then come down again--his
lordship must see us all at dinner."

Pickersgill then descended, and Corbett had hardly time to give his
directions and to resume his seat, before his lordship and Mr Stewart
pulled up alongside and jumped on deck. There was no one to receive
them but the seamen, and those whom they did not know. They looked
round in amazement; at last his lordship said to Adams, who stood
forward--"What men are you?"

"Belong to the yacht, ye'r honour."

Lord B--- heard laughing in the cabin; he would not wait to interrogate
the men; he walked aft, followed by Mr Stewart, looked down the
skylight, and perceived his daughter and Mrs Lascelles, with, as he
supposed, Hautaine and Ossulton.

Pickersgill had heard the boat rub the side, and the sound of the feet
on deck, and he talked the more loudly, that the ladies might be caught
by Lord B--- as they were. He heard their feet at the skylight, and
knew that they could hear what passed; and at that moment he proposed to
the ladies that as this was their last meeting at table they should all
take a glass of champagne to drink to "their happy meeting with Lord
B---." This was a toast which they did not refuse. Maddox poured out
the wine, and they were all bowing to each other, when his lordship, who
had come down the ladder, walked into the cabin, followed by