d the white feather in that duel affair with
young Maguire."

"But, Colonel Armytage, surely you do not forget that this Monsieur
Gerardin was among those who made that dreadful attack on us in Spain--
that he certainly attempted to carry off Edda, and would have succeeded
had it not been for Mr Morton's gallantry."

Mrs Armytage had seldom ventured to differ so strongly with her
husband.

"I have always doubted whether it was Gerardin who figured on that
occasion," he answered. "Morton, of course, is ready to suppose so, and
you and Edda were too frightened, I suspect, to know what happened.
Appearances are deceptive; I did not recognise him, and depend on it he
will be able to assure us that he was not there."

The lady after this dared not reply.

Colonel Armytage was in an excessively amiable mood. He was altogether
not so much displeased at having been taken prisoner, for he anticipated
very little satisfaction on his arrival in England. He had left it with
an accumulation of debts, and he felt very sure that his creditors would
give him no rest when they heard of his return. On the other hand he
could live cheaply in France; the climate suited him; and he concluded
that though he might be detained as a prisoner, he should be able to
select his residence. But what pleased him most was the having fallen
into the hands of his old acquaintance, Captain Gerardin, and his son,
who, from his previous acquaintance with them, he was certain would do
all in their power to make his position as agreeable as they could.

Edda had overheard the latter remarks made by her father. They did not
contribute to afford her comfort, although they had the effect of
arousing her attention. She kept her eyes shut, however, that she might
have time to collect her thoughts. She soon comprehended very clearly
what had happened, and remembering the counsel given her by Mrs
Edmonstone, she resolved to treat the young foreigner with the same
coldness which she had exhibited towards him at Calcutta. She forgot
one very important point--their positions had been changed. He was then
a prisoner--she was one now. At length, when her mother bent fondly
over her with an expression of deep anxiety at her protracted fit, she
could no longer resist opening her eyes to assure her that she was
recovering.

A short time after this, a knock was heard at the door of the cabin, and
the captain of the frigate entered. He said that he came to