o render any assistance.

"The next day a cutter was despatched by the admiral to look for the
boat, which must have been driven out to sea; there was a woman in the
boat as well as _our_ poor boy. Alas! I regret to say that the boat
was found bottom up, and there is no doubt but that _our_ dear child
has perished.

"You will believe me when I say that I deeply lament his loss; not
only on your account, but because I had become most partial to him for
his many good qualities, and often have I regretted that his peculiar
position prevented me from showing him openly that regard which, as
_his father_, I really felt for him.

"I know that I can say nothing that will alleviate your sufferings,
and yet I fain would, for you have been so true, and anxious to please
me in every point since our first acquaintance and intimacy, that
there is nothing that you do not deserve at my hands.

"Comfort yourself, dear Arabella, as well as you can with the
reflection that it has been the will of Heaven, to whose decrees we
must submit with resignation. I am deeply suffering myself; for, had
he lived, I swear to you that I intended to do much more for him than
ever I had promised you. He would have made a good and gallant sailor
had it pleased Heaven to spare him, and you would have been proud of
him; but it has been decided otherwise, and we must bow in obedience
to His will. God bless you, and support you in your afflictions, and
believe me still,

"Yours, most sincerely and faithfully,

"PERCIVAL DELMAR."

"Then it is so," thought I; "here I have it under his own hand." I
immediately folded up the letter, and put it into my bosom. "You and I
never part, that is certain," murmured I. I had almost lost my breath
from emotion, and I sat down to recover myself. After a minute or two I
pulled the letter out and read it over again. "And he is my father, and
he loves me, but dare not show it, and he intended to do more for me
than even he had promised my mother."

I folded up the letter, kissed it fervently, and replaced it in my
bosom. "Now," thought I, "what shall I do? This letter will be
required of me by my mother, but never shall she get it; not tears, nor
threats, nor entreaties shall ever induce me to part with it. What
shall I do? Nobody has seen me--nobody knows that I have been here. I
will go directly and join my ship; yes, that will be my best plan."

I