signor,--and why impossible?" replied the commandant,
curling his mustachios with his fingers, with a surprised and angry air.

"I should have said impossible too," interrupted Krantz, who perceived
the consequences of Philip's indiscretion, "for had you seen,
commandant, how that woman doated upon her husband, how she fondled him,
you would with us have said, it was impossible that she could have
transferred her affections so soon; but women are women, and soldiers
have a great advantage over other people; perhaps she has some excuse,
commandant.--Here's your health, and success to you."

"It is exactly what I would have said," added Philip, acting upon
Krantz's plan: "but she has a great excuse, commandant, when I recollect
her husband, and have you in my presence."

Soothed with the flattery, the commandant replied, "Why, yes, they say
military men are very successful with the fair sex.--I presume it is
because they look up to us for protections and where can they be better
assured of it, than with a man who wears a sword at his thigh?--Come,
signors we will drink her health. Here's to the beautiful Amine
Vanderdecken."

"To the beautiful Amine Vanderdecken!" cried Krantz, tossing off his
wine.

"To the beautiful Amine Vanderdecken," followed Philip. "But,
commandant, are you not afraid to trust her at Goa, where there are so
many enticements for a woman, so many allurements held out for her sex?"

"No, not in the least--I am convinced that she loves me--nay, between
ourselves, that she doats upon me."

"Liar!" exclaimed Philip.

"How, signor! is that addressed to me?" cried the commandant, seizing
his sword, which lay on the table.

"No, no," replied Philip, recovering himself; "it was addressed to her.
I have heard her swear to her husband, that she would exist for no other
but him."

"Ha! ha! Is that all?" replied the commandant; "my friend, you do not
know women."

"No, nor is he very partial to them either," replied Krantz, who then
leant over to the commandant and whispered, "He is always so when you
talk of women. He was cruelly jilted once, and hates the whole sex."

"Then we must be merciful to him," replied the little officer: "suppose
we change the subject."

When they repaired to their own room, Krantz pointed out to Philip the
necessity for his commanding his feelings, as otherwise they would again
be immured in the dungeon. Philip acknowledged his rashness, but
pointed out to Krant