useway, and past the eastern tower,
which was the one where Ada Garden resided, till they reached the
habitation of poor Nina. He then opened the door, rudely shoved them
all in, and told them to amuse themselves as they best could in the
dark, while he went to inform the lady of their arrival.

The fury of the summer tempest had subsided, and the dark masses of
clouds had passed away, leaving only a few loitering stragglers to
follow, in order to restore the sky to all its usual brightness. The
untiring waves still continued lashing the base of the rocks; but their
roar had lessened, and the white foam no longer flew in showers of spray
up the steep cliffs.

Ada Garden and the young Italian sat at the window watching for the
appearance of the shipwrecked mariners. As Ada saw them at a distance,
she at once recognised them from their dress as Maltese, and she longed
to question them, to learn if they had come lately from their native
island, and could give her any information respecting the vessels of war
which were there; and whether the _Ione_ had yet sailed for England.

At all events, she thought, if they could effect their escape, they
might convey intelligence of her situation to Malta; and she doubted
not, trusting to the chivalry of her countrymen, that even should
Captain Fleetwood have sailed for England, every effort would be made
for her release. She whispered her hopes to Nina, who understood and
promised to forward her wishes.

"I should much like to speak with these poor men myself," she observed.
"But my so doing might excite suspicions which might effectually
counteract it, and bring destruction on their heads."

"Fear not, lady; I will speak to them, and urge them to convey tidings
of you," said Nina. "For though I think not my husband would allow
innocent men to be injured, yet of late he has done acts and said things
which make me very wretched, though I do not comprehend them. Even
Paolo has of late come to see me but seldom, and is more silent and
reserved than I ever before remember him. I know not where it will all
end, but now and then dark shadows pass before my sight, and congregate
in the distance, till the whole future seems full of them. But I rave,
lady. Ah! here come the strangers."

Ada had scarcely listened to what her companion was saying, so intently
had she been watching the Maltese seamen. Her heart beat so quick with
agitation, that she felt it would overcome her st