st wished that she had been, for the dreadful thought occurred to
him that she might be dead. He was considering how he should frame some
question to learn the truth, when his eye fell on the book, which he
knew contained her name. He took it up, and, as if by chance, his eye
had now, for the first time, seen it, he pointed it out to Nina.

"Lady," he said, "do you know the person to whom this book belongs?"

"No," returned Nina; "I know no lady of that name--but stay. Is the
lady young, and fair, and beautiful, for, if so, I have just parted with
her?"

"She is, she is!" exclaimed Fleetwood, in a voice of agitation, the
colour rushing to his face, and showing through the darkly-stained skin.
"Where is she, lady? Oh, tell me!"

Nina smiled.

"You have betrayed yourself, signor," she answered. "But you may
confide in me--I will not injure you. I thought from the first, that
you were not a common seaman, in spite of your costume. Such speak not
with the accent you do. You take a great interest in this fair girl.
Confess it."

"I do, signora; and, moreover, I would risk everything to rescue her."

"I thought as much," returned Nina. "I may find means to serve you--and
will do so. But remember, signor, that I may also some day call upon
you to assist one who, although you may look upon him as an enemy, may
demand your aid. Promise me that, should I ever require it, you will
exert all your energies--you will strive to the utmost--you will even
risk your life and safety, if I demand it of you, to serve him I will
not now name. Say you will do this, and you enable me to do all you
require. Otherwise, I cannot; for in aiding your wishes, I am
disobeying his orders, and I cannot justify my conduct to myself."

"You must remember, signora, that a naval officer, and, I confess to
you, that I am one, owes his first duty to his country; next that,
gladly will I obey your wishes," returned Fleetwood. "If any one, in
whom you take interest, is in difficulty, and I have the means to save
him, I promise, faithfully, to do so. More, I cannot say. Will that
satisfy you?"

"It does. Say, whence did you come--and whither were you bound, when
you were driven on this coast. It may be necessary to show that I have
not forgotten the most important part of the examination."

"We come from Malta and were bound for Smyrna, but were driven out of
our course by a gale of wind, in which we lost our master and mate. Our