z, that the circumstance of Amine having promised to
marry the commandant, if he procured certain intelligence of his death,
was the cause of his irritation. "Can it be so? Is it possible that
she can have been so false?" exclaimed Philip; "yet his anxiety to
procure that document seems to warrant the truth of his assertion."

"I think, Philip, that in all probability it is true," replied Krantz,
carelessly; "but of this you may be assured, that she has been placed in
a situation of great peril, and has only done so to save herself for
your sake. When you meet, depend upon it she will fully prove to you
that necessity had compelled her to deceive him in that way and that if
she had not done so, she would, by this time, have fallen a prey to his
violence."

"It may be so," replied Philip, gravely.

"It is so, Philip, my life upon it. Do not for a moment harbour a
thought so injurious to one who lives but in your love. Suspect that
fond and devoted creature! I blush for you, Philip Vanderdecken."

"You are right, and I beg her pardon for allowing such feelings or
thoughts to have for one moment overpowered me," responded Philip; "but
it is a hard case for a husband who loves as I do, to hear his wife's
name bandied about, and her character assailed by a contemptible wretch
like this commandant."

"It is, I grant; but still I prefer even that to a dungeon," replied
Krantz, "and so, good night."

For three weeks they remained in the fort, every day becoming more
intimate with the commandant, who often communicated with Krantz, when
Philip was not present, turning the conversation upon his love for Amine
and entering into a minute detail of all that had passed. Krantz
perceived that he was right in his opinion, and that Amine had only been
cajoling the commandant, that she might escape. But the time passed
heavily away with Philip and Krantz, for no vessel made its appearance.

"When shall I see her again?" soliloquised Philip one morning, as he
lolled over the parapet, in company with Krantz.

"See who?" said the commandant, who happened to be at his elbow.

Philip turned round and stammered something unintelligible.

"We were talking of his sister, commandant," said Krantz, taking his
arm, and leading him away.--"Do not mention the subject to my friend,
for it is a very painful one, and forms one reason why he is so inimical
to the sex. She was married to his intimate friend and ran away from
her husban