of the
deep as they swam or floated by. When night came on, and the stars
shone forth from the clear sky, each reflected in the deep as in a
mirror, she stood with me while I told her their names. I was scarcely
aware how time had passed by, when I heard Monsieur de Villereine's
voice summoning his niece, and telling her that it was time for her to
retire to her cabin.

I was never addicted to whistling for a wind, and certainly should not
have done so on that occasion. A breeze, however, came at last, and the
_Ellen_ gliding swiftly over the calm sea, we came in sight of that most
beautiful and picturesque island of Saint Lucia.

Two lofty heights of a sugar-loaf form, shooting up from the sea, and
feathered from base to summit with the richest foliage, were the first
objects which attracted our attention. Beyond these rose a range of
mountains, running north and south through the island, and broken into
the most fantastic shapes. As we sailed along the shore, having the
mountains still as the background, here and there appeared the most
lovely little caves and bays, fringed with luxuriant cane-fields, and
enlivened by the neatly laid-out mansions of the planters; while
numerous fishing and passage boats, with their long light masts and
lateen sails, were gliding over the calm waters.

"I used to tell you, Laurel, that our island was one of the most
beautiful in the world--don't you think so?" said Henri, as, while
standing near his sister and cousin, I was watching the shore, and every
now and then addressing them.

"Indeed it is. I am not surprised that you are so fond of it, and,
could I leave the sea, I should be content to spend my days there," I
answered, speaking as I felt.

"Oh, do," exclaimed Henri. "Come and turn planter; we can give you
plenty of occupation, and my health as been so bad lately, that I should
be glad if you could take my place."

"I am afraid that, having lived so little on shore, I should make but a
poor farmer," I answered, laughing.

Sophie looked up at me, and remarked: "The difficulties to be overcome
are not very great, I suspect, and I am sure you would soon learn all
that is necessary."

"The proposal is indeed a tempting one," I answered; "and yet I love the
sea, and should be sorry to abandon it."

"Oh, you can take an occasional trip to England," observed Henri. "Have
a ship of your own, and just make a voyage when you get tired of the
shore."

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