ugh few knew it, when
he was honored as a prince and a high officer of the king's."

A deep silence followed; the singularity of the circumstance, and the
air of truth which pervaded the manner of the girl, uniting to produce a
profound sensation.

"The admiral had the reputation of being childless," observed Cuffe, in
an undertone. "Doubtless this girl's father has been the consequence of
some irregular connection."

"If there has been a promise or any words of recognition uttered before
witnesses," muttered Lyon, "accordin' to the laws of Scotland, issue and
a few pairtenant expressions will splice a couple as strongly as ye'll
be doing it in England before either of the archbishops."

"As this is Italy, it is not probable that the same law rules here.
Proceed, Mr. Judge Advocate."

"Well, Ghita Caraccioli--if that be your name--I wish to know if you
have any acquaintance with a certain Raoul Yvard, a Frenchman, and the
commander of a private lugger-of-war, called le Feu-Follet? Remember,
you are sworn to tell the truth, the _whole_ truth, and nothing but
the truth."

Ghita's heart beat violently, and the color came into her face with the
impetuosity of sensitive alarm. She had no knowledge of courts, and the
object of the inquiry was unknown to her. Then followed the triumph of
innocence; the purity of her mind and the quiet of her conscience
reassuring her by bringing the strong conviction that she had no reason
to blush for any sentiment she might happen to entertain.

"Signore," she said, dropping her eyes to the floor, for the gaze of all
the court was fastened on her face--"I _am_ aquainted with Raoul Yvard,
the person you mention; this is he who sits between those two cannon. He
is a Frenchman, and he _does_ command the lugger called the Feu-Follet."

"I knew we should get it all by this witness!" exclaimed Cuffe, unable
to suppress the relief he felt at obtaining the required testimony.

"You say that you know this of your own knowledge," resumed the Judge
Advocate--

"Messieurs," said Raoul, rising, "will you grant me leave to speak? This
is a cruel scene, and rather than endure it--rather than give this dear
girl the cause for future pain that I know her answers will bring--I ask
that you permit her to retire, when I promise to admit all that you can
possibly prove by her means."

A short consultation followed, when Ghita was told to withdraw. But the
girl had taken the alarm from the countenanc