plain James Trueman, you instructed me by your counsel," said the youth. "It was you, Sir James, that taught me to aspire above myself to work out an elevation of my own-to raise myself by worthy acts and gallant deeds. I love the lady Maude-I glory in the truth, Sir James, and must ever love her. It shall be the object of my life to gain an honourable name; aye, and wealth too❞—

"I would not damp your ardour, Harry," returned Trelawney. "I should glory to see you do all this—but not for her, my son—it cannot be for her. But tell me how is the good dame, your mother, Will-has he made the widow a Buntline yet?” She was well, and single, when I left her, Sir," answered Harry, "nor do I believe that she will ever again change her name or her condition."

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old crony

"Oh, there's no accounting for these things, my lad," urged Sir James. "Women's minds are like a thick mist, there may be brightness beyond, but they veil it under pretence and enigma. I am glad to see you looking well-you must away back to your ship again I will myself go to your Captain, and see you safe on board-for your sake, and for the sake of him who once befriended me."

"Is the lady Maude in Rome, Sir?" inquired the young sailor timidly. "May I not be allowed to have one brief interview ?"

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That is question and answer combined, Harry," remarked Trelawney. She is in Rome, and I dare say that you may see her, though I should recommend you not to do so. Recollect, Harry, how you are both situated—and whatever good intentions you may have, many years must elapse, even with the best success, before you can command either fame or money. Would you be selfish enough to wish her prospects to remain obscure, whilst waiting for uncertainty? Believe me, my lad, the best designs are often frustrated. Rest yourself here to-day, and to-morrow we will speed our course for Leghorn. The followers of Prince Charles are scant of wealth— attainders and confiscations make sad havoc with real property, as far as the right owners are concerned, but some day 'the King will get his own again.' Poor old Balmarino—you cannot have forgotten that spectacle, Harry-I would that Prince Charles had seen it."

"I have ever been guided by your admonitions, Sir James," said Harry meekly, "and would still wish to follow their directions. But oh! if you knew the earnest longings of my very soul—if”

"Tut, boy-tut-this is sheer madness, that weakens the mind to feebleness and imbecility," exclaimed Trelawney with some degree of sternness.

"Nerve yourself to better things-that which you

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wish to achieve can only be gained by steady perseverance and firmIs this to be taken as a specimen of yours? But learn more, my son-the lady Maude is no longer at her own disposal, she is now the wife of Lord Eustace de Vere—and may the best of blessings rest upon their union."

Harry heard not the benediction-the announcement alone met his ear, and a sudden tremour shook every limb in his body as if seized by a strong ague-fit-he stood for a moment or two, the blood became stagnant near the heart, and he dropped senseless on the floor. This was totally unexpected by Sir James Trelawney, who had come to the knowledge of the young man's attachment, but looked upon it as a mere youthful passion, that would soon evaporate amidst the bustling scenes of active life-he knew that Harry was sincere and steadfast in what he undertook, for he himself had constantly inculcated the principles-he knew the young man had the soul to dare, and the will to do, but he never dreamed that these attributes could be unchangingly carried out in a mere love affair, between a couple yet in their teens! it was to him a mystery. He raised the young sailor from prostration-he tried to make him swallow water-but it was no faintness that had come over him-a stunning blow to the faculties had deprived them of their wonted powers, and he had sunk under it. But it did not last long-the vital current resumed its usual course, though irregular and spasmodic-recollection returned-he wiped the thick perspiration from his forehead, and forcibly uttered,

"May they be happy!-my ambitious dream is over-she can never be mine, but I will still cherish her remembrance while life endures, nor shall any other female breathing ever possess my affection. She is my first-she shall be my last and only love. Sir James, I am ready to obey you in all things.”

"There is sense in that, my boy," responded Trelawney, "and certainly more to be relied upon than the assertions you have just made about the first, last, and only. But come, come, Harry-persevere, my lad, for the sake of that fair mistress, honour, whose faith has never yet been broken. To love the lady Maude was no crime, not in the least; for who could help it? but to expect a high-born maiden to descend to a jacket and trousers!-Pshaw, Harry, the thing is perfectly out of the course of nature-it is jumping down from the stilts into the mud-it is"—

"Stop, stop, Sir James, I have already said my dream is over," urged Harry, deprecatingly. "Yet-yet-I am not wholly to blame

-for she told me"-he paused-"No; it shall ever be locked within my own breast. I care not how soon I return."

"That is certainly very respectful to the old man who, a little while ago, you expressed such anxiety to see," remarked Trelawney jocosely. "But mind me, Harry, let honest candour ever take precedence of deception. You will find it the most easy and the most honourable in the end. I must now join my friends for a short time, but will not be absent long, for I shall love to talk of the Hatchold John Paulet, and past days. Here, take this wine, 'twill cheer your heart—and as you are not safe amid the rabble, rest on this couch, and try to sleep awhile-there's nothing like balmy slumber to sooth and tranquillize a troubled mind. Drink, Harry, drink, and then to calm repose."

The young sailor did as he was bid-he quaffed the rich juice of the grape, and Sir James having departed, he laid himself on the soft, luxuriant couch-but not to enjoy sweet and refreshing sleepthere was a terrible commotion in his breast, a burning heat within his brain-the lady Maude was lost to him for ever, and he now, when too late, beheld the boyish folly he had been guilty of in looking up so high above his own grade in society. It is true that thoughts would intrude of their first interviews, and the services he had rendered to her father, but his generous nature quickly abandoned such reflections, and he resolved to render himself still more worthy of being esteemed.

The following day Harry, accompanied by Sir James Trelawney, returned towards Leghorn, where they arrived on the third evening, and the youth became aware how impossible it would have been to have traversed the distance alone. Sir James explained to the master of the brig somewhat of the cause of the young man's absence, and the good-natured seaman not only granted his forgiveness, but also promised that the subject should never be revived. The parting between Trelawney and his humble companion was distressing to both, but Harry received encouragement from the counsels of his friend, and became more resigned to circumstances. Shortly afterwards the vessel sailed for England, and whilst on the passage home the infatuation that had bound his faculties was gradually dispelled, but without removing the firm devotion of his heart.

Pleasing to the mariner's eye after a first voyage is the sight of the white cliffs of England-it speaks of home, with all its sweet enjoy. ments, and the associations that are engendered are delightful to the mind. Harry thought of the cottage and his mother. On arriving in the river Thames he hastened to the Hatch, and was most affec

tionately received, but the widow Paulet whom he had left was the widow Paulet no longer; for, finding herself lonely and dejected after her son's departure, Will Buntline, by acts of kindness and gentle entreaty, had so wrought upon her woman's mind that she had bestowed her hand upon him. Harry felt annoyed at this, and it added to the poignancy of his previous regret. He had partly resolved not to quit his mother again, but to look to her that she might solace him in trouble; but now, though old Will was ever solicitous and kind, he felt as if he had no longer a home, and had lost all that was estimable upon earth; in a short time, therefore, he embarked in a ship for New York, which he soon afterwards quitted for a small trader to the St. Lawrence, in which river she was employed so frequently running up and down, that Harry, devoting the whole of his skill to obtain practical information, became an excellent pilot, and young as he was, gained considerable fame for carrying ships through dangers that appeared almost impracticable to surmount, and henceforward for some time he attached himself to this pursuit with great success, till he was looked upon as the best pilot in the river.

But the Governor of Quebec (then in the hands of the French), Mons. Montcalm, aware that young Paulet's experience would be of vast importance to the English, should they come to attack the settlement, made several attempts to get him under his controladvantageous offers, if he would abandon his colours, were first made, and received a contemptuous refusal-then stratagem was resorted to, for the purpose of seizing him by force, but Harry's vigilance enabled him to defeat their schemes, and he was busily engaged in making rough drafts of the different channels when unfortunately the small boat he was in was surprised by a French galley-he was made prisoner, carried to Quebec, and thrown into a dungeon. Montcalm was fully sensible of the knowledge which the young man was in possession of, and further endeavours were made to tempt him to betray the cause of his country, but without avail-cruelty was resorted to, under a hope of terrifying him into compliance, but with no better success; and Montcalm fearing that he might escape, at length put him on board a vessel that was bound to France with the Governor's despatches.

At first the young man was rigidly confined as a prisoner, but his quiet demeanour and amiable disposition won upon the Officers, and they agreed to liberate him-his intrepidity and seaman-like qualities were displayed a few days afterwards in a heavy gale of wind, which baffled the skill of the French Captain and perilled all their

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lives; but Harry, by his example and activity, encouraged perseverance, and though one of their masts was carried away, yet they weathered the storm, and having rigged a jury spar, once more stood for France. This brought the young man into further favour, and he was now allowed to mess with the passengers in the cabin, and was treated as one of themselves.

Montcalm's despatches, with many other communications, were deposited in a sealed bag, that was suspended from one of the beams abaft, and Harry was not ignorant that they were considered to be of great importance to the future security of Canada to the French. Often did the Englishman eye them with peculiar longing, and anxious was his unremitting look-out for some British vessel of war to approach them, for he had resolved to run all risks to seize the despatches, and by throwing himself overboard with them, enjoy a chance of placing the whole in possession of his country. His plans were well arranged, and though the execution was hazardous in the extreme, yet he felt pretty confident of success; the greatest difficulty appeared to be the possibility of the French taking the bag before him, in order to sink it.

Nothing, however, came in sight to molest them, and they slowly pursued their way, baffled by foul weather and contrary winds, till their stock of water and provisions began to fail, so that they were compelled to run for Vigo Bay, on the coast of Spain. Here they anchored to repair the injuries sustained during the voyage, and to obtain a necessary supply of what was requisite. Though at no great distance from the shore, Harry was suffered to be at liberty; in fact, his unpretending manners had lulled all suspicion, and he was treated as a mild, inoffensive man. But much of this had been assumed to colour his design, as he had never for one moment lost sight of the object he had contemplated as calculated to be for the good of his country.

The French ship, since her arrival, had hoisted a Spanish ensign, which Harry understood was to deceive the Captain of an English frigate that was then lying further up the bay, near to the city. This intelligence quickened his intellects; it seemed to afford him an admirable opportunity to effect his purpose, could he but once get clear of the Frenchman. He was well acquainted with his own powers as a swimmer, so that the distance gave him no uneasiness; and once off, success seemed certain. Night came-Harry's eyes were rivetted on the bag, but the passengers still lingered about the cabin, and no opportunity was offered of moving till they had retired to rest-one by one dropped off, but there was a sturdy veteran who