g else; but the one that is out of power abuses even power
itself, until it falls into its own hands."

"This is so much like Giorgio Grondi's course toward me, Signore, that I
could almost swear he was one of these very opposizione! I never approve
of a thing that he does not condemn, or condemn that he does not
approve. Do you confess this much, Signor Capitano?"

"Il vice-governatore knows us better than we know ourselves, I fear.
There is too much truth in his account of our politics; but, Signori,"
rising from his chair, "I now crave your permission to look at your
town, and to return to my vessel. The darkness has come, and discipline
must be observed."

As Andrea Barrofaldi had pretty well exhausted his stores of knowledge,
no opposition was made; and, returning his thanks, the stranger took his
departure, leaving the two functionaries to discuss his appearance and
character over the remainder of the flask.

CHAPTER III.

"There's Jonathan, that lucky lad,
Who knows it from the root, sir;--
He sucks in all that's to be had,
And always trades for boot, sir."

14,763D VERSE OF YANKEE DOODLE.

Il Capitano Smeet' was not sorry to get out of the government
house--palazzo, as some of the simple people of Elba called the
unambitious dwelling. He had been well badgered by the persevering
erudition of the vice-governatore; and, stored as he was with nautical
anecdotes and a tolerable personal acquaintance with sundry seaports,
for any expected occasion of this sort, he had never anticipated a
conversation which would aspire as high as the institutions, religion,
and laws of his adopted country. Had the worthy Andrea heard the
numberless maledictions that the stranger muttered between his teeth, as
he left the house, it would have shocked all his sensibilities, if it
did not revive his suspicions.

It was now night; but a starry, calm, voluptuous evening, such as are
familiar to those who are acquainted with the Mediterranean and its
shores. There was scarcely a breath of wind, though the cool air, that
appeared to be a gentle respiration of the sea, induced a few idlers
still to linger on the heights, where there was a considerable extent of
land that might serve for a promenade. Along this walk the mariner
proceeded, undetermined, for the moment, what to do next. He had
scarcely got into the open space, however, before a female, with her
form closely enveloped in a mantle, brushed