remained immovable.
He did indeed betray deep emotion while the woman reasoned with him, in
tones of intense earnestness; but he would not change his mind. He said
that if Montague, as the representative of the law, would set him free
in consideration of what he had recently done, he would accept of
liberty; but nothing could induce him to escape.

Leaving him in this mode, Mrs. Stuart hurried to the cottage where
Montague had taken up his abode.

The young captain received her kindly. Having learned from Corrie all
about the friendship that existed between the widow and Gascoyne, he
listened with the utmost consideration to her.

"It is impossible," said he, shaking his head; "I _cannot_ set him
free."

"Do his late services weigh nothing with you?" pleaded the widow.

"My dear madam," replied Montague, sorrowfully, "you forget that I am
not his judge. I have no right to weigh the circumstances of his case.
He is a convicted and self-acknowledged pirate. My only duty is to
convey him to England, and hand him over to the officers of justice. I
sympathize with you, indeed I do; for you seem to take his case to heart
very much; but I cannot help you. I _must_ do my duty. The Foam will be
ready for sea in a few days. In it I shall convey Gascoyne to England."

"O Mr. Montague! I do take his case to heart, as you say, and no one on
this earth has more cause to do so. Will it interest you more in
Gascoyne, and induce you to use your influence in his favor, if I tell
you that--that--_he is my husband_?"

"Your husband!" cried Montague, springing up, and pacing the apartment
with rapid strides.

"Aye," said Mrs. Stuart, mournfully, covering her face with her hands.
"I had hoped that this secret would die with me and him; but in the hope
that it may help, ever so little, to save his life, I have revealed it
to you."

"Believe me, the secret shall be safe in my keeping," said Montague,
tenderly, as he sat down again, and drew his chair near to that of Mrs.
Stuart. "But, alas! I do not see how it is possible for me to help your
husband. I will use my utmost influence to mitigate his sentence; but I
cannot, I _dare_ not set him free."

The poor woman sat pale and motionless while the captain said this. She
began to perceive that all hope was gone, and felt despair settling down
on her heart.

"What will be his doom," said she, in a husky voice, "if his life is
spared?"

"I do not know. At least I am not certain. My