herself almost disinherited?"

"Nonsensical idea!" said Colonel Armytage, scornfully. "Your sister
will be as happy as her nature will allow her, with her books and
abstruse studies, which, by all accounts, have turned her brain, and
unfitted her for every-day life. However, we will not discuss the
subject. It is settled to my satisfaction, at all events. I am no
longer the miserable beggar I was two hours ago. By-the-by, what has
become of our tall friend who accompanied us from Aberdeen? I expected
to have seen him here. He seemed to be perfectly well acquainted with
the state of things here, and intimate with those two black-coated
gentlemen who professed to be ministers. From the tone of their
conversation, and the merry twinkle in their eyes, I rather suspected
them, to say the truth."

"A fine-looking old gentlemen came off to receive them," said Mrs
Armytage. "He is a resident of the island. I know no more."

"It matters not; I only hope that we shall not have to encounter that
tall, red-haired young man again," observed the colonel. "His manner to
me was most offensive; he is a sailor, I feel sure, by the way he walked
the deck. He recognised the sloop-of-war we saw in the offing; but when
I asked her name he pretended not to hear my question; and the look he
gave me, as he turned round, prevented me from again asking it. I
wonder, though, what has become of her! Some of the people on board the
smack seemed to think that she might anchor in the Sound near here.
What is the name gived to it?"

"Eastling Sound," answered Mrs Armytage; "we can have a perfect view of
it from the eastern tower, if you like to go there."

When Colonel and Mrs Armytage reached the tower, they found their
daughter already there, attended by Lawrence Brindister, who had placed
himself before her, that she might rest a telescope on his shoulder to
look at the corvette, which was gliding gracefully down Eastling Sound,
and shortening sail preparatory to coming to an anchor. Edda had not
heard her parents' approach.

"Yonder seems truly a brave and gallant ship, sweet cousin mine," said
Lawrence. "Can you guess her name, or whence she comes?"

"Yes, yes--it is the `Scorpion!'" she exclaimed.

"And what is there wonderful in the `Scorpion,' fair coz?" asked
Lawrence.

"Do not you know, cousin Lawrence, that she is commanded by a very brave
officer, Captain Ronald Morton?" said Edda.

"That is fortunate, indeed," e