she mournfully. "Oh, the coast of
Africa! How I dread it!"

And so I confess did I from that moment; I had a presentiment, as I
had told her, that something would go wrong, and I could not get over
the feeling.

I shall no longer dwell upon what took place on that delightful
evening, Madam; suffice to say, that Miss Trevannion and I were
mutually pledged, and, after an exchange of thought and feeling, we
parted, and when we did part I pressed those dear lips to mine. I went
home reeling with excitement, and hastened to bed, that I might have
unrestrained freedom of thought. I enacted the scene of the evening
over and over again; recalled each motion, each look, every word which
had passed, and, defying fever and presentiment of evil, imagined also
our happy meeting to part no more. It was long before I could compose
myself to sleep, and when I did, I need not say who it was who
occupied my dreams. I called as soon as I could venture so to do on
the following day, and had a long interview with my dear Amy. Before I
went up to her father, I tried to soothe her anxiety upon my
approaching voyage, and to persuade her that there was little or no
danger to be apprehended in so short a stay. Willingly would I have
given it up, but Mr. Trevannion had so set his mind upon it, and I
had, by my consent, rendered it so impossible for him to find a
substitute in time, that I could not do so, and I persuaded Miss
Trevannion that I was right in acting to my promise. One question that
came forward was, whether we should make known our engagement to her
father at once, and this was decided in the negative. Much as he
liked me, he was not yet prepared to receive me so suddenly as a
son-in-law, and Amy was of opinion that the communication had better
be postponed. To this, of course, I gave a willing assent. I was
satisfied with the knowledge of her affection, which I felt would
never change. As I was talking with her father, after my interview
with Amy, he said:

"Really, Elrington, or Musgrave, I hardly know which to call you."

"Musgrave is my real name, Sir," replied I.

"Musgrave--Musgrave--where did I know a Musgrave?"

"We are from the north," replied I.

"Well," said he, "I was going to say, that I really wish I could find
some one else to take your place in this voyage, for I do not much
like your going."

"Do, my dear father," said Miss Trevannion, who was standing by him.

"Hey! Miss Amy, what have you to do with i