oduce myself under that name; I cannot be addressed otherwise.
Depend upon it, Miss Ossulton, that I shall have a most paternal
solicitude to make you happy and comfortable."

Had Cecilia Ossulton dared to have given vent to her real feelings at
that time, she would have burst into a fit of laughter; it was too
ludicrous. At the same time, the very burlesque reassured her still
more. She went into the cabin with a heavy weight removed from her
heart.

In the meantime, Miss Ossulton and Mrs Lascelles remained below, in the
greatest anxiety at Cecilia's prolonged stay; they knew not what to
think, and dared not go on deck. Mrs Lascelles had once determined at
all risks to go up; but Miss Ossulton and Phoebe had screamed and
implored her so fervently not to leave them that she unwillingly
consented to remain. Cecilia's countenance when she entered the cabin,
reassured Mrs Lascelles, but not her aunt, who ran to her crying and
sobbing and clinging to her, saying, "What have they done to you, my
poor, poor Cecilia?"

"Nothing at all, aunt," replied Cecilia, "the captain speaks very
fairly, and says he shall respect us in every possible way, provided
that we obey his orders; but if not--"

"If not--what, Cecilia?" said Miss Ossulton, grasping her niece's arm.

"He will starve us, and not let us go!"

"God have mercy on us!" cried Miss Ossulton, renewing her sobs.

Cecilia then went to Mrs Lascelles, and communicated to her apart, all
that had passed. Mrs Lascelles agreed with Cecilia that they were in
no danger of insult; and as they talked over the matter they at last
began to laugh; there was a novelty in it, and there was something so
ridiculous in all the gentlemen being turned into smugglers. Cecilia
was glad that she could not tell her aunt, as she wished her to be so
frightened as never to have her company on board the yacht again; and
Mrs Lascelles was too glad to annoy her for many and various insults
received. The matter was therefore canvassed over very satisfactorily,
and Mrs Lascelles felt a natural curiosity to see this new Lord
B--- and the second Mr Ossulton. But they had had no breakfast, and
were feeling very hungry now that their alarm was over. They desired
Phoebe to ask the steward for some tea or coffee. The reply was, that
"Breakfast was laid in the cabin, and Lord B--- trusted that the ladies
would come to partake of it."

"No, no," replied Mrs Lascelles, "I never can, without being