he same
opinion as you are now, I certainly shall no longer press you to remain,
and will do all I can to assist you in any other views you may have."

"To that, Sir, I can have no objection," replied I; "it would be unfair
of me to leave you without a captain to the vessel, and I am therefore
ready to sail in her as soon as you please, upon the understanding that
I may quit her, if I am of the same opinion as I am now, upon my return
to port."

"I thank you, my dear Sir," said Mr Trevannion, rising; "that is all I
request. I must now go to the counting-house."

So saying, he left the room, but his countenance showed that he was far
from pleased.

Miss Trevannion, who had been a silent listener to the conversation, as
soon as her father had closed, the door after him, thus spoke:

"Captain Elrington, the opinion of a young maiden like me can be of
little value, but you know not how much pleasure you have given me by
the sentiments you have expressed. Alas! That a man so good, so
generous, and so feeling in every other respect, should be led away by
the desire of gain, to be the owner of such a description of property.
But in this town wealth is everything; the way by which it is obtained
is not thought of. My father's father left him a large property in
vessels employed wholly in the slave-trade, and it was through the
persuasions of my poor mother that my father was induced to give up that
nefarious traffic. Since that his capital has been chiefly employed in
privateering, which, if not so brutal and disgraceful, is certainly
nearly as demoralising. I have been home but a short time, and I have
already ventured to express my opinion, certainly not so forcibly and so
well as you have, upon the subject; but I was laughed at as a
tender-hearted girl, who could not be a fit judge of such matters. But
now that you, a captain of one of his vessels, have expressed your
dislike to the profession, I think some good may arise. If my father
were a poor man, it would be more excusable, if excuse there can be; but
such is not the case. He is wealthy, and to whom has he to leave his
wealth but to me, his only child? Captain Elrington, you are right--be
firm--my father's obligations to you are very great and your opinion
will have its influence. I am his daughter--his only daughter--his love
for me is great, I know, and I also have my power over him. Supported
as I have been by you, I will now exert it to the utmost