ist all fatal consequences."

"I trust it may, for this has been a day of disaster, without the loss
of more life."

"You were a passenger in the Chalmetta?"

"I was."

"Then you have had a narrow escape."

"But a more narrow one since the explosion. Thank Heaven, I have been
preserved from both calamities!"

"Had you no friends on board?"

"I had--one friend;" and she hesitated. "I fear he has perished."

"Hope for the best!" replied the doctor, kindly.

The blush, and then the change to the paleness of death, as Emily
thought of Henry, first as the lover, and then as a mangled corpse had
not escaped the notice of Dr. Vaudelier. He read in her varying color
the relation they had sustained to each other.

"I have no alternative but hope," said Emily; "but it seems like hoping
against the certainty of evil."

"I saved the life of a gentleman this morning who must shortly have
perished without aid. He, too, had lost a dear friend."

"Indeed!" said Emily, with interest.

"Yes; but he was much injured, and will require the most diligent care."

"I trust your merciful endeavors will be crowned with success. Do you
know the gentleman?"

"I do not. He has not yet been able to converse much. He was dressed in
the uniform of an officer."

"An officer! Perhaps it is he!" exclaimed Emily.

Dr. Vaudelier was much interested in the adventure, and the pale,
anxious features of Emily excited his sympathy for her.

"As I dressed his wounds," said he, "I noticed the initials upon his
linen. Perhaps these may afford some clue."

"What were they?" exclaimed Emily, scarcely able to articulate, in the
intensity of her feelings.

"H.C."

"It is he! It is he! And you say he is wounded?"

"I am sorry to say he is."

"Can I go to him?" said Emily, grasping the doctor's arm.

"I fear your presence will excite him. Are you a relative?"

"No, not a relative," replied Emily, blushing; "but I know he would like
to see me."

"I do not doubt it," said the doctor, with a smile,--a luxury in which
he rarely indulged. "I am afraid your presence will agitate him."

"Let me watch over him while he sleeps. He need not know I am near."

"Rather difficult to manage, but you shall see him. Will you return with
me?"

"Thank you, I will. But poor Mrs. Swinger!" and a shade of anxiety
crossed her features, as she thought of leaving her kind hostess in
affliction.

"Her husband is a good nurse, and understands her case bette