hips were fitted for the purpose of
destroying the enemy's ships on shore, which could not otherwise be got
at. The wind was, however, unfavourable, and the enterprise was
ultimately abandoned.

Ronald's own ship was not engaged in these operations, and he perhaps
was secretly not sorry to avoid the risk his passengers would have run
had she been so. He, however, accompanied Lord Claymore, and assisted
in capturing the line-of-battle ships and in removing the prisoners. He
made all the inquiries he could from the prisoners for Alfonse Gerardin,
but not a word could he hear of him, and he began to fear that he must
have been killed.

"Poor Hernan!" he said to himself; "it will be sad if such is your fate
at the very moment that there is a prospect of your being restored to
your name and station."

Directly after this Lord Claymore returned to England, and the
"Scorpion" was also ordered home.

Although most of the prisoners taken from the burning frigate were
removed, on Morton's application Pedro Alvarez was allowed to remain on
board the corvette. He kept likewise that worthy, Tacon, as he felt
sure that if he did not he should never seen him again. Colonel
Armytage behaved much more courteously to Ronald than he had formerly
done, but still there was more stiffness in his manner than was
pleasant; and in his presence his wife and daughter appeared restrained
and uneasy, as if he had laid injunctions on them which they would
gladly have broken through.

The day after the marquis got on board he was seized with a severe
illness, brought on by the anxiety and alarm which he had experienced.
The surgeon pronounced it to be very dangerous. Glover had given up his
cabin to him, and now assisted poor Donna Julia in tending him, which he
did with the greatest devotion.

The "Scorpion" had a quick passage to Plymouth, where Colonel Armytage
and his family went on shore.

Edda's last words to Ronald were, "We must live in hope. My father may
compel me to remain single, as I will not marry in opposition to his
wishes; but at the same time I will marry no one but you."

What more could a lover wisely desire?

"Hope has borne me up hitherto. It will, I trust, continue to sustain
me," answered Ronald, as, having escorted her and her parents on shore,
he was compelled to return on board.

The marquis continued too ill to be moved, and Father Mendez claimed the
right, as his confessor, of remaining with him. To