some one who would be able to guide her to that town.

There was no one to be found for such a purpose but Raphael, the
captain's son, and her own adorer. Regardless of all consequences to
him, since it was to save her own honor, she resolved to enlist the boy.

And to effect her purpose, she felt that she must begin at once. So she
walked out upon the neglected and briar-grown grounds, and strolled
around until, "accidentally on purpose," she came upon the boy as he sat
sketching. He started up, confused and blushing, and stood with downcast
eyes, before the goddess of his secret idolatry.

"Please take your seat again, and I will sit beside you," said Sybil, in
a gentle tone.

Raphael was a very perfect little gentleman, and so he bowed and
remained uncovered and standing, until Sybil took her seat. Then, with
another bow, he placed himself beside her.

"You have been sketching. Will you permit me to look at your sketches?"
inquired the lady.

With a deferential bend of the head, the boy placed his specimens in her
hand.

They were really very fine, and Sybil could praise them with sincerity
as well as with excess.

"You are an enthusiast in art," she said.

"_Until to-day_," replied Raphael, with a meaning glance. "Until to-day,
my one sole aspiration in life was to become an artist-painter!"

"And why until to-day? How has to-day changed your purpose?" softly
inquired Sybil.

The boy dropped his eyes, blushed, and shivered, and at length replied:

"Because to-day I have a loftier aspiration!"

"A loftier aspiration than for excellence in art there cannot be," said
Sybil, gravely.

The lad could not and did not contradict her. But she understood as well
as if he had explained, that his "loftier aspiration" was to serve and
to please herself.

She carefully examined his sketches, and praised his natural genius. And
he listened to her commendations in breathless delight.

At length he ventured to ask her:

"Do you, madam, who so much appreciate my poor attempts, do you also
sketch from nature?"

"Ah, no," answered Sybil, with a heavy sigh; "since my captivity here, I
have lost all interest in my own work! My only aspiration is for
freedom!"

Raphael looked up at the lady, amazement now taking the place of the
deep deference of his expression.

"You seem surprised," said Sybil, with a smile.

"I am very much astonished," replied the lad. And his eloquent and
ever-changing countenance said, a