tual
expressions of surprise that were uttered by both the ladies and the
officer himself, while a moment sufficed to show them to be old
acquaintances! The reader would here recognize, in the new comer,
Captain Robert Bramble, whom we saw paying suit to Miss Huntington, not
long previous, on the shady verandah of her mother's house, in the
environs of Calcutta.

Notwithstanding the excitement of the moment, and the joy felt on all
sides at the timely arrival of the English officer and his
people,--notwithstanding the surprise of the moment, that filled all
present at the singular melting of old friends under such extraordinary
circumstances, yet a close observer might have noticed an ill-suppressed
expression of dissatisfaction upon Captain Ratlin's face, as he saw the
English captain in friendly and even familiar intercourse with mother
and daughter.

"Who could have possibly foreseen this strange, this opportune meeting?"
said the mother.

"It is as strange as agreeable, I assure you," replied the new comer.
"And you were wrecked and picked up at sea, you say, and brought here
by--"

"Captain Ratlin," interrupted the daughter, fearing that her mother
would have introduced a word that would have betrayed their protector.

"Yes, by Captain Ratlin," continued the mother, "permit me to introduce
you, gentlemen. Captain Bramble, this is Captain Ratlin; you are both
seamen, and there is no need of compliments, though I am seriously
indebted to you both."

"Of the merchant service, I presume?" said the English officer,
regarding the young and handsome commander of the "Sea Witch" with a
somewhat suspicious eye.

"From childhood," was the cool reply, while, as though by a feeling of
common content, both turned away from each other, to other objects.

Captain Bramble saw that she whom he had so profitlessly saved,--she
whose smile would have been invaluable to him, now spoke low and gently
to the merchant captain; and even smiled kindly upon his remarks to her,
of whatever nature they might be. Doubtless, from the moment of their
introduction, a vague suspicion of his true character crossed the
English officer's thoughts, but now he needed no other incentive, than
the fact that Miss Huntington received and entertained his addresses so
agreeably, and with such evident pleasure, to make him more than
watchful, and resolved to find out the truth.

"You are not long arrived, Captain Ratlin?" asked the other.

"Withi