the
boat could reach the others, all disappeared beneath the waves. Happily
the boat had no great distance to go, for it was only by great exertions
and careful management that she was kept afloat. The whole of the
wounded and many others of the French crew perished.

The loss of their prize was a great disappointment to the officers and
ship's company of the _Cynthia_, as they had only the bare victory to
boast of, without being able to show the prize when they returned into
port; but far more did they mourn the death of their brave captain. No
one felt it more than Denham. To him he had been a warm and sincere
friend, besides which he knew the agony and grief it would cause to one
who was expecting his return. He dreaded having personally to
communicate what had occurred, and he was greatly relieved by finding
that the frigate was to put into Port Royal, Jamaica, to refit after the
action.

Mr Hansom did not forget to mention him in his despatches, as having
greatly contributed to gain the victory, by his courage in assisting to
lash the enemy's bowsprit to the _Cynthia's_ foremast.

"Depend upon it, Denham," observed Mr Hansom, "this will be marked in
your favour at the Admiralty; and when you have served your time as
lieutenant, you will obtain commander's rank. I wouldn't say this to
others,--but I have a notion that you have a friend at court, and a word
from the Earl, with so good an excuse, will be sure to gain whatever he
asks for you."

On reaching Port Royal Denham felt it was his duty to write to the Earl,
giving an account of the events that had occurred; but he did not allude
even to anything he himself had done, nor did he ask for the Earl's
interest for himself at the Admiralty.

Some few months after this Lord Kilfinnan gave up his appointment, and
returned with his family to his native land.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN.

In a turret chamber in Kilfinnan Castle sat two young ladies. It was
apparently their private boudoir. It had been elegantly furnished, but
the drapery had somewhat faded, and the air of freshness it had once
possessed had long since departed. The window out of which the ladies
were gazing looked forth over the wide Atlantic, and the eldest was
dressed in deep mourning, apparently her usual costume, while the air of
sadness in her countenance seemed to be habitual. The younger one was
full of life and animation, though occasionally, as she looked up at her
friend, she, too,