was silent, and seemed lost in thought. His lips moved, but his
words were almost inaudible.

"The vision was too bright and beautiful ever to be realised," he
murmured. "Alas, alas, I have for ever cut myself off from such
happiness--and that fond girl too--oh, it is a cruel fate for her to be
linked for ever to one so lost. Yet it might be done. I might again
seek out the speronara of the Sicilian Alessandro, and he should land us
on some part of the coast I would select, nor should he know whither we
went. Ah--but is he to be trusted? Would he not, if he saw our wealth,
be tempted to destroy us for the sake of possessing himself of it?--
would he not, even if we concealed it ever so carefully, or even had it
not, suspect that we had it, and equally attempt our destruction? Who
is to be trusted? In whom can I, especially, of all men, dare to
confide? Alas! on no one. Every one of my fellow men, except the
ruffians who surround me, and a few like them, would glory in betraying
me. I might, it is true, find some stranger bound for the Italian
coast, and with a well-invented tale about the vessel I had quitted,
persuade them to carry me whither I may determine to go."

"Nina, I will think about it," he said, aloud. "I would please you if I
could; but though my power to do evil has been great, alas! the means I
possess of doing good are small indeed."

"Oh, do more than think of it," exclaimed Nina, looking up imploringly
in his face. "Resolve with your determined will to execute what you
think of--resolve to overcome all difficulties--to be daunted by no
dangers, and she and I will bless you to our dying day, and our prayers
will ascend to heaven to implore forgiveness for the crimes which now
weigh down your soul and prevent you from perceiving clearly where true
peace and happiness can alone be found."

"Enough, Nina, enough, or you will make me act the woman," exclaimed
Zappa, releasing his hands from her grasp, and rushing on deck, where
his voice was heard, immediately after, issuing some orders in his usual
firm and loud tones.

"You will conquer, my sweet Nina; you will persuade him to abandon a
pirate's life, and happiness may yet be in store for you," said Ada,
kissing the cheek of her friend, who sat pale and trembling on the couch
by her side.

Nina shook her head sorrowfully.

"Alas!" she replied, "you know not the wayward spirit which possesses
him, or you would not speak to me of hope.