"

"I am," replied Amine. "I have no husband--at least, I fear I have no
husband. For me life has no sweets; yet, one little hope remains--a
straw to the sinking wretch. I fear not death, for I have nought to
live for. Were Philip here, why, then indeed--but he is gone before me,
and now, to follow him is all I ask."

"He died in the faith, my child--if you would meet him, do the same."

"He never died like these," replied Amine, looking with scorn at the
passengers.

"Perhaps he lived not as they have lived," replied Father Mathias. "A
good man dies in peace, and hath no fear."

"So die the good men of all creeds, father," replied Amine; "and in all
creeds death is equally terrible to the wicked."

"I will pray for thee, my child," said Father Mathias, sinking on his
knees.

"Many thanks--thy prayers will be heard, even though offered for one
like me," replied Amine, who, clinging to the man-ropes, made her way up
to the ladder, and gained the deck.

"Lost! signora, lost!" exclaimed the captain, wringing his hands as he
crouched under the bulwark.

"No!" replied Amine, who had gained the weather side, and held on by a
rope; "not lost this time."

"How say you, signora?" replied the captain, looking with admiration at
Amine's calm and composed countenance. "How say you, signora?"

"Something tells me, good captain, that you will not be lost if you
exert yourselves--something tells it to me here," and Amine laid her
hand to her heart. Amine had a conviction that the vessel would not be
lost, for it had not escaped her observation that the storm was less
violent, although, in their terror, this had been unnoticed by the
sailors.

The coolness of Amine, her beauty, perhaps, the unusual sight of a woman
so young, calm and confiding, when all others were in despair, had its
due effect upon the captain and sea men. Supposing her to be a
Catholic, they imagined that she had had some warrant for her assertion,
for credulity and superstition are close friends. They looked upon
Amine with admiration and respect, recovered their energies, and applied
to their duties. The pumps were again worked; the storm abated during
the night, and the vessel was, as Amine had predicted, saved.

The crew and passengers looked upon her almost as a saint, and talked of
her to Father Mathias, who was sadly perplexed. The courage which she
had displayed was extraordinary; even when he trembled, she showed no
sign of fear.