left the _Falcon_ he had
joined a privateer, which had been wonderfully successful; that they had
taken a rich Spanish galleon and many other valuable vessels, and that
he, having become one of the mates of the ship, had had a large share of
prize-money; enough, he declared, to set him up as an independent
gentleman for life. To wind up his good luck he had come home in charge
of the last prize they had made, which was fully as rich as any of the
rest.

"My old shipmate, he that's gone, told me that I should be ruined if I
left the frigate, but he was wrong, you see," added Dick. "He thought,
too, that I hadn't the sense to take care of my money, if I got any; but
I had had a sharp lesson or two, and I made up my mind not to touch
liquor, whether afloat or ashore, and I've kept to it for better than
two years."

Jessie had heard Ralph mention Dick Bracewell once or twice, but knowing
nothing about his character, did not doubt the truth of his statements.
Still Dick had not, as he supposed, gained her confidence. His frequent
visits were, as might have been expected, noticed by Jessie's
neighbours, and Dame Judson looked in one morning on purpose to tell her
of the remarks she had heard, and to give her advice on the subject.
She concluded by saying, "If you think that he is worthy of you, my
dear, which I don't, why, there is nothing to say. You are your own
mistress, and can marry him when--"

"I marry him!" interrupted Jessie. "Oh, Mrs Judson, how can you think
of such a thing? I did not suppose that he or any one else dreamed for
a moment that I fancied he was making up to me, or I would not have
received him after his first visit. Do, Mrs Judson, stay with me
to-day, and if he comes tell him that I cannot see him, and beg that he
will not come again."

Mrs Judson very readily consented to do as Jessie wished. She had made
inquiries about Dick Bracewell, and did not altogether believe in the
capture of the Spanish galleon, though she heard that he had come ashore
from a prize brought into Plymouth to be sold. The dame had brought her
work, and took Jessie's usual place by the window to watch for Dick.
She had not been there long before she saw a young sailor approach the
house, and, without stopping, walk straight up to the door. "That isn't
Dick Bracewell. I wonder who he can be," she exclaimed, as a knock was
heard.

"Can it be Ralph?" gasped out Jessie, rising from her seat.

"Oh, no, my dear, h