weapons and surrounded by divans. The steward asked for
my commands; but I was by this time so wearied, bewildered, and
disturbed, that I could only wave him to leave me to myself, and sink
upon a pile of cushions. Presently, by the changed motion of the ship, I
knew her to be under way; my thoughts, so far from clarifying, grew the
more distracted and confused; dreams began to mingle and confound them;
and at length, by insensible transition, I sank into a dreamless
slumber.

When I awoke, the day and night had passed, and it was once more
morning. The world on which I reopened my eyes swam strangely up and
down; the jewels in the bag that lay beside me clinked together
ceaselessly; the clock and the barometer wagged to and fro like
pendulums; and overhead, seamen were singing out at their work, and
coils of rope clattering and thumping on the deck. Yet it was long
before I had divined that I was at sea; long before I had recalled, one
after another, the tragical, mysterious, and inexplicable events that
had brought me where I was.

When I had done so, I thrust the jewels, which I was surprised to find
had been respected, into the bosom of my dress; and, seeing a silver
bell hard by upon a table, rang it loudly. The steward instantly
appeared; I asked for food; and he proceeded to lay the table, regarding
me the while with a disquieting and pertinacious scrutiny. To relieve
myself of my embarrassment, I asked him, with as fair a show of ease as
I could muster, if it were usual for yachts to carry so numerous a crew?

"Madam," said he, "I know not who you are, nor what mad desire has
induced you to usurp a name and an appalling destiny that are not yours.
I warn you from the soul. No sooner arrived at the island----"

At this moment he was interrupted by the whiskered officer, who had
entered unperceived behind him, and now laid a hand upon his shoulder.
The sudden pallor, the deadly and sick fear that was imprinted on the
steward's face, formed a startling addition to his words.

"Parker!" said the officer, and pointed towards the door.

"Yes, Mr. Kentish," said the steward. "For God's sake, Mr. Kentish!"
And vanished, with a white face, from the cabin.

Thereupon the officer bade me sit down, and began to help me, and join
in the meal. "I fill your ladyship's glass," said he, and handed me a
tumbler of neat rum.

"Sir," cried I, "do you expect me to drink this?"

He laughed heartily. "Your ladyship is so mu