not again revive until I found myself on board the _Barracouta_, with
Mammy looking after me. We arrived here before I was well enough to
walk, and here I have remained ever since, that is to say, nearly two
years."

"Well," I exclaimed, "that is a most extraordinary story, extraordinary
not only from the fact of your having been the heroine of such a
terrible adventure, but even more so from the circumstance that you were
rescued and have been taken care of ever since by Ricardo. One would
have thought that it would have been the most natural thing in the world
for him to have callously left you all to perish. How many of your
boat's crew were alive when he picked you up?"

"Only two sailors, and Mammy, and myself," answered Lotta; "and I
afterwards heard that the sailors had joined Ricardo."

"And have you never had any desire to escape and seek the protection of
your guardians?" demanded I.

"Only at very rare intervals, and even then the feeling was not very
strong," was the extraordinary answer. "You see," Lotta explained, "I
am perfectly happy where I am. This is a most lovely spot in which to
live, the most lovely that I have ever seen; and Ricardo is kindness
itself to me during the rare periods when he is `at home', as he calls
it. I have never expressed a wish that he has not gratified, I have
every possible comfort, and, what with my guitar, my garden, my morning
and evening swim, and making clothes for myself, I find so much
occupation that I do not know what it is to have a wearisome moment.
And, now that you have come to be a companion to me, I cannot think of
anything else to wish for."

The charming _naivete_ of this remark fairly took my breath away; but I
was careful that the girl should not be allowed to guess, from my
manner, that she had said anything in the least remarkable. Before I
could reply, the sound of approaching footsteps became audible, and
Lotta remarked:

"Now, here comes Fonseca, and I suppose I shall have to go. But I will
come back again when he leaves you."

As she rose to her feet the door opened, and the Spanish surgeon
entered.

"Good morning, senorita!" he exclaimed. "How is our patient? Vastly
better, Mammy tells me. I see she is busy preparing some broth for
Senor Grenvile, but he must not have it until I have thoroughly
satisfied myself that it would be good for him. Well, senor," as he
seated himself on the side of the bed and laid his fingers upon my