il, utterly overcome by the rapid events and conflicting emotions of
the last few minutes, burst into a passion of tears, as she clasped the
little creature to her bosom.

"Madam," said the robber captain--suddenly changing his whole manner as
he turned towards the lady, took off his hat, and subdued his voice to
its softest and smoothest tones--"Madam, I will relieve you of the
presence of this ruffian; and to-morrow I will make such amends to you,
for this insult, as may lie in my power."

Sybil did not and could not answer him. She only clasped her little dog
closer to her heart and wept.

"And now, sir," said the captain, sternly, wheeling around upon his huge
lieutenant, and pointing to the outlet of the grotto, "go before me out
of this! This crime must be accounted for at another time and place."

The crestfallen monster slouched out of the cavern, followed by his
captain, who turned once more, at leaving, to say:

"Rest in peace now, lady. You shall no more be disturbed. And I will
send Gentiliska to stay with you."

"Oh thanks! thanks! do so! pray do so!" said Sybil, eagerly.

When she was left alone with her little dog, she fell to caressing and
fondling her, as with all her heart and soul.

"Oh, Nelly! darling Nelly! what a little heroine you are! But how did
you come here, Nelly?" she inquired, holding the little creature's curly
head between her hands, and gazing down into its soft brown eyes. "How
did you find me, Nelly?"

Nelly lapped her lady's cheek, and then jumped down and ran to the
outlet of the cavern, and then ran back and jumped again into her lady's
lap.

"Oh, yes, Nelly dear, I understand. You came that way and found me here.
But that tells me nothing. How did you know I was here, little doggy?"

Poor little Skye terrier! She knew that a question was asked her, and
she tried her best in her eloquent dumb way to answer it. And while she
was jumping off and on her mistress' lap, and whining and caressing, the
cavern door was darkened once more, and Gentiliska entered.

"Oh, I am so glad you have come! Be quiet, Nelly, darling; that's a
girl, you know," exclaimed Sybil, speaking first to her visitor, and
then to her little dog, who seemed inclined to make some hostile
demonstrations against the supposed enemy.

"Why, what dog is that?" inquired Gentiliska, her mouth and eyes wide
open with amazement.

"She is _my_ dog, my dear, darling, devoted, brave little Nelly,"
replied Sybil,