t
had just passed, that I was almost bewildered; but I accepted the
offered hand, and bowed over it, although I declare that at the time I
could not distinguish her features, although I perceived that her person
was slight and elegant. As she retreated to her seat, Mr Trevannion,
who had recovered from his emotion, said--

"I thought that at this moment your head was exhibited over the gates of
Temple-bar. The idea, as Captain Levee will tell you, has haunted me;
for I felt, and should always have felt, that I was the cause of your
death. God bless you, my dear Sir, and may I have an opportunity of
showing you my gratitude and regard for your noble conduct towards me,
and the sacrifice which you would have made. You need not tell me, for
I know too well, that you took all the onus and blame of the affair upon
your own shoulders, and preferred death to impeaching me."

"My dear Elrington," said Captain Levee, "I told our crew, and you have
proved me a true prophet, that you never would peach, but die game. We
were talking of you, supposing you dead, when you came in. I must tell
you, that more than once Mr Trevannion had made up his mind to deliver
himself up, and acknowledge the truth, but I prevented him, as it would
have been a useless sacrifice."

"You did; but, nevertheless, it was so heavy on my conscience, that had
it not been for your perseverance, and the thoughts of leaving my poor
girl here an orphan in the world, I certainly should have so done, for I
felt life to be a burden."

"I am very glad that you did not, Sir," I replied; "my life is of little
value; I have no one to support, no one to love, and no one to lament me
if I fall. A shot from the enemy may soon send me out of the world, and
there will only be a man the less in it, as far as people are interested
about me."

"That is not the case now, at all events," replied Mr Trevannion; "but
pray tell us how it is that you have escaped."

"I have not escaped," I replied; "here is my pardon, with the
sign-manual."

"And how was it obtained?" exclaimed Captain Levee; "all intercession
made through some of the strongest friends of the government was in
vain,--that I can assert; for you must not suppose that we have been
idle down here. We did not leave London till after you were condemned,
and every entreaty to see you, or to communicate by letter, was denied
to us."

"I had better, then, begin at the beginning, and state all that
occurred