recommended as, a good seaman and a brave man. I went with him to the
dockyard to look at the frigate in the basin, and afterwards on board
the hulk to see the other officers and the men, who had been entered. I
had every reason to be satisfied, and I then returned to the hotel, to
dine with Colonel Delmar. This officer appeared to have taken a strong
interest in me, and ever since the accident of his gun going off, which
had so nearly been fatal to me, was unbounded in his professions of
regard. I must say, that a more gentleman-like or more amusing
companion I never met with. A great intimacy was established between
us; he was constantly making me presents of value, which I would fain
have prevented his doing; occasionally, when we were alone, he would
hint something about my family and parentage; but this was a subject
upon which I was invariably silent, and I immediately changed the
conversation; once only I replied, that my father and mother were both
dead.

On my arrival at Portsmouth, I found several letters waiting for me, and
among them two or three from my mother, who had seen the report in the
newspaper of the escape that I had had, and, of course, was excessively
anxious to hear from my own hand how I was. Had I thought that it would
have come to her knowledge, I certainly should have written to my
grandmother from Madeline Hall; but I imagined that she knew nothing
about it, until my return to Portsmouth, when her anxious letters proved
the contrary; for in her anxiety she had quite forgotten her promise
that all communication should be through my grandmother.

As soon as I had read the letters I locked them up in my desk, and
hastened to reply to them, assuring my mother of my perfect restoration
to health, and cautioned her not to break through the agreement we had
made for the future, pointing out to her that had these letters been
forwarded to Madeline Hall, her handwriting would have been recognised.
I said, in conclusion, "I must say, my dear mother, that I now heartily
repent that we should have resorted to the step we have done in
pretending that you are dead. That some advantage was gained by it at
the time, I really believe; but I have a feeling that eventually some
mischief may occur from it. I hope I may be mistaken; but if I am not,
it will only be the punishment which I deserve for an act of duplicity
which I have repented of ever since."

CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN.

My time was now