tified with your growth, and that, if necessary, you will
sacrifice all to obtain what in my opinion will prove to be the real
millennium. Make all the converts you can, and believe me to be, your
affectionate father and true guide:--

"NICODEMUS EASY."

Jack, who was alone, shook his head as he read this letter, and then
laid it down with a pish! He did it involuntarily, and was surprised at
himself when he found that he had so done. "I should like to argue the
point," thought Jack, in spite of himself; and then he threw the letter
on the table, and went into Gascoigne's room, displeased with his father
and with himself. He asked Ned whether he had received any letters from
England, and it being dinner-time, went back to dress. On his coming
down into the receiving-room with Gascoigne, the Governor said to them:

"As you two both speak Italian, you must take charge of a Sicilian
officer who has come here with letters of introduction to me, and who
dines here to-day."

Before dinner they were introduced to the party in question, a
slight-made, well-looking young man, but still there was an expression
in his countenance which was not agreeable. In compliance with the
wishes of the Governor, Don Mathias, for so he was called, was placed
between our two midshipmen, who immediately entered into conversation
with him, being themselves anxious to make inquiries about their friends
at Palermo. In the course of conversation Jack inquired of him whether
he was acquainted with Don Rebiera, to which the Sicilian answered in
the affirmative, and they talked about the different members of the
family. Don Mathias, towards the close of the dinner, inquired of Jack
by what means he had become acquainted with Don Rebiera, and Jack, in
reply, narrated how he and his friend Gascoigne had saved him from being
murdered by two villains; after this reply the young officer appeared to
be less inclined for conversation, but before the party broke up
requested to have the acquaintance of our two midshipmen. As soon as he
was gone, Gascoigne observed in a reflective way, "I have seen that face
before, but where I cannot exactly say; but you know, Jack, what a
memory of people I have, and I have seen him before, I am sure."

"I can't recollect that ever I have," replied our hero, "but I never
knew any one who could recollect in that way as you do."

The conversation was then dropped between them, and Jack was for some
time listening