d scream.

"Oh! Mr Stuart, you won't tell my father? I mistook you for capt--."

"Hold, Miss Crusty; do not speak hastily. I know nothing of that of
which you seem desirous that I should not speak. Pray be calm."

"Of course I know that you don't know," cried Bella passionately, "but
you are capable of guessing, and--and--"

The poor girl burst into a flood of tears, and rushed from the bower,
leaving Kenneth in a most unenviable state of perplexity.

The words that she had uttered, coupled with what he had seen of the
intimacy subsisting between her and Captain Bowels, and the fact that
the name of the captain was Charles, were quite sufficient to convince
him that an immediate elopement was intended. He entertained a strong
dislike to the captain, and therefore somewhat hastily concluded that he
was a villain. Impressed with this conviction, his first impulse was to
return to the house, and warn the colonel of his daughter's danger; but
then he felt that he might be mistaken, and that, instead of doing good,
he might lay himself open to severe rebuke for interfering in matters
with which he had nothing to do. After vacillating therefore, a few
minutes, he at last made up his mind first to execute his errand to the
cousin of Mrs Gaff, and then consider what should next be done. He
resolved on this course all the more readily that he was sure the
mistake Bella had made would frustrate the elopement, at least on that
night.

Kenneth carried the parcel, which Mrs Gaff had put up with so much care
and anxiety, under his arm, and a thick stick in his right hand. He was
so passionately fond of the sea and all connected with it, that he liked
to dress in semi-sailor costume, and mingle with seamen. Consequently
he went out on this occasion clad in a rough pea-jacket and a sailor's
cap. He looked more like a respectable skipper or first-mate than a
country gentleman.

Passing rapidly through the streets of Athenbury, he soon reached the
docks, where he made inquiry for the Sailors' Home. He found it in a
retired street, near the principal wharf.

A group of seamen were collected round the door, smoking their pipes and
spinning yarns. The glare of a street-lamp shone full upon them,
enabling Kenneth to observe their faces. He went up to one, and asked
if a sailor of the name of Dollins was in the Home at the time.

The man said Dollins had been there that day, but he was not within at
the present time.