nter the walls of Corbet Hall--what passed, I may
hereafter relate; though, would to Heaven it could be for ever blotted
from my remembrance!

"Spiritless and truly forlorn, every hope destroyed, I retraced my
steps to Cardigan; and engaged as a common sailor, in a merchantman
trading to Havre-de-Grace; but not liking the Captain, I left him on our
arrival there, and led a wandering life: till I entered on board a
vessel at L'Orient bound for Pondicherry; which arrived at this island
with others a few days since.

"The restraint imposed on me by the presence of my messmates, was too
severe to support continually: beside the anguish which preyed on my
mind, my heart was with you; I wished to eradicate those sentiments you
entertained from the misrepresentations of Talton, and regain that place
in your friendship I once enjoyed.

"To indulge these wishes, and enjoy the freedom of reflection, I last
night sought for solitude; when the clashing of swords drew me to your
assistance. I first distinguished the voice of Frederick, which brought
with it the idea that Mr. Talton (as he once mentioned an intention of
visiting the Indies) might be with you: as the most probable means of
concealment, I therefore determined on silence; trusting that in the
hurry of their attendance on you, I might unobserved satisfy my
suspicions, and, if they were just, escape again to shore."

"Yet, tell me," said the Captain, "on what account you so anxiously
wish to avoid Mr. Talton? or why my Ellenor so precipitately fled from
Lieutenant Booyers's, on hearing of his arrival in the village? He
hinted that she was involved in pecuniary difficulties; to which
Talton's name was annexed. Is she answerable to him for any money?"

Sir Henry answered in the negative, and begged to know what he
particularly alluded to, as he had not mentioned the immediate cause of
her flight. The Captain related what had passed at Lieutenant Booyers',
and the idea he entertained, that Mr. Talton, notwithstanding his
assertion to the contrary, had proved an enemy to his Ellenor.

Sir Henry gave a sigh to the sorrows of poor Booyers; who, he said,
would prove a real protector to Ellenor till it pleased Heaven to
conduct them to her. "But, alas!" he continued, "the cloud which
envelopes me, likewise extends its pernicious influence to her."

CHAPTER VIII.

Frederick now turned the discourse to the occurrence of the preceding
night; and proposed going on sh