me time enlarging on her beauty and
accomplishments, and other attractive qualities.

"Your father means to say, Jack, that it has not been her fortune which
has captivated your brother Jasper, for you must know that he has won
her heart, and in the course of another week is to possess her hand.
You have just come in time for the wedding. I am sure it will be a
great pleasure to you to see Jasper made happy, as it adds greatly to
our pleasure to have you back again amongst us."

Poor Jack's heart sank down to zero. His worst anticipations were thus
realised. For some moments his head was in a whirl, and he knew not
what to say. He speedily, however, recovered himself.

"I am thankful to hear of Jasper's expected happiness," he forced
himself to say at last. He said it sincerely in one sense, for he loved
his brother, and he felt that if Alethea was not to be his, he was glad
that she should become Jasper's wife.

The time passed so rapidly, that he was surprised when at length the
riding-party returned just in time to get ready for dinner. His brother
and sister were truly glad to see him. Alethea received him with some
little embarrassment, not that she was conscious of having given him any
encouragement; but she recollected how she had endeavoured to draw him
into the Jacobite plot, and she fancied that she was the principal cause
of separating him from his family and sending him away to sea. Polly
and her intended husband, who was something in her own style, soon, by
the racket they made, and the shouts of laughter in which they indulged,
drove away any thing like sentiment, and set every body at their ease.
Kind cousin Nat shortly made his appearance, and holding Jack at arm's
length, scanned him all over.

"I was not quite certain when I first saw you whether you were a
buccaneer from the Spanish Main, or some other cavalier of fortune; but
I now see that you are my own honest, good Jack, in spite of your
somewhat ferocious appearance!" he exclaimed, shaking him by both hands.
"You should get yourself, however, trimmed and docked, Jack, and you
will be much more presentable in polite society."

Jack had not come without a few curiosities and trinkets which had been
collected on board the prizes, or taken on shore. He was thus able to
bestow some acceptable presents upon the intended brides.

Again the old house in the market-place was the scene of festivity. Two
couples were to pledge their faith t