tel, you
will deliver it to me, and I then shall re-conduct you on board of the
yacht. You are not the first lady who has gone on shore with contraband
articles about her person."

"Me, sir! Go on shore in that way? No, sir--never! What will the
world say?--the Hon. Miss Ossulton walking with a smuggler! No, sir--
never!"

"Yes, madam; walking arm-in-arm with a smuggler: I shall have you on one
arm, and Mrs Lascelles on the other; and I would advise you to take it
very quietly; for, in the first place, it will be you who smuggle, as
the goods will be found on your person, and you will certainly be put in
prison: for at the least appearance of insubordination, we run and
inform against you; and further, your niece will remain on board as a
hostage for your good behaviour--and if you have any regard for her
liberty, you will consent immediately."

Pickersgill left the cabin, and shortly afterwards Cecilia and Mrs
Lascelles entered, apparently much distressed. They had been informed
of all, and Mrs Lascelles declared, that for her part, sooner than
leave her poor Cecilia to the mercy of such people, she had made up her
mind to submit to the smuggler's demands. Cecilia also begged so
earnestly, that Miss Ossulton, who had no idea that it was a trick, with
much sobbing and blubbering, consented.

When all was ready, Cecilia left the cabin; Pickersgill came down,
handed up the two ladies, who had not exchanged a word with each other
during Cecilia's absence; the boat was ready alongside--they went in,
and pulled on shore. Everything succeeded to the smuggler's
satisfaction. Miss Ossulton, frightened out of her wits, took his arm;
and, with Mrs Lascelles on the other, they went up to the hotel,
followed by four of his boat's crew. As soon as they were shown into a
room, Corbett, who was already on shore, asked for Lord B---, and joined
them. The ladies retired to another apartment, divested themselves of
their contraband goods, and, after calling for some sandwiches and wine,
Pickersgill waited an hour, and then returned on board. Mrs Lascelles
was triumphant; and she rewarded her new ally--the smuggler--with one of
her sweetest smiles. Community of interest will sometimes make strange
friendships.

CHAPTER SEVEN.

CONCLUSION.

We must now return to the other parties who have assisted in the acts of
this little drama. Lord B---, after paddling and paddling, the men
relieving each other, in order to