aining in the world. Never in his life before had he been so
downhearted Gretchen observed his melancholy.

"You should not thus grieve for being a prisoner," she observed; "many
brave men have been so, and the time will come when you will be set at
liberty."

Wenlock then told her how he had lost his father, and how his own hopes
of advancement had been blighted. "Have you no one then who cares for
you?" she asked, in a tone of sympathy; "no one in your native land to
whom you desire to return?"

"Yes," said Wenlock; and he then told her of his engagement to the fair
Quakeress.

"Ah! I am not surprised at that," observed the Dutch girl, with a sigh.
After this, though as kind as usual, Wenlock observed that she was
somewhat more distant in her manner to him than she had been at first.

Considering that he was a prisoner, his time passed very pleasantly.
Having given his word to the authorities and to his host that he would
not attempt to escape, he was allowed to go about that picturesque town
as much as he pleased. Month after month the war continued, and he
remained a prisoner. His affection, however, for Mary Mead had rather
increased by absence than diminished; and fearing that she might forget
him, he at length wrote her a letter, entreating her to remain faithful,
and promising, as soon as he should be able, to return to England and
follow any course she might advise. In vain he waited for an answer to
this letter; week after week passed by, and none came.

"She has forgotten you," said Gretchen one day, observing him look very
sad.

Wenlock started! He was thinking the same thing. "I know not," he
answered; "I have heard that women are fickle."

"I did not say that," observed Gretchen; "but if you chose to disregard
the wishes of one you professed to love, I am not surprised that she
should at length have dismissed you from her thoughts. I do not say she
has, but it is possible."

Wenlock had for some time felt ashamed of being idle; for though his
host might have received payment for his support from the government,
yet that, he was sure, could not be sufficient to cover the expense to
which he was put. He expressed his wishes to his kind host.

"A very sensible remark," observed the surgeon, "and as you have now
recovered from your wound, and regained your strength, it is proper that
you should be employed. I have a brother, a merchant, trading with
Surinam. He may possibly give you emp