Part 17 (1/2)
”Oh, tell erly; but the exertion or exciteain almost to faint
”Hush, hush, my dear mistress,” whispered Marianna ”Do not be alarmed
You are not in a condition to ask questions, nor to listen toYou have been very ill with a fever, and you are to take this ood”
As she spoke, she presented a glass, filled with a cooling beverage, which, as Ada felt very thirsty, and her ratefully drank off and lay back on her pillows
She saw that she was in a large cabin, furnished and ornah the open stern-ports, froht pure breeze blew in and cooled her fevered brow, she saw the cal in the sunshi+ne, and in the far distance the land rising in picturesque hillocks fro at this cal of Marianna's words, she fell into a quiet sluirl watched her mistress till she saw that she slept, and then busied herself in putting the cabin in order, and in dusting the furniture, as if she were in a room on shore
The cabin was, as has been described, in the after part of the vessel, and occupied its entire width It was fitted up with bird's-eye e sofas, or standing bed-places, on either side, with brass bars overhead, by which a curtain could be drawn round them
The space between the two ports was occupied by a rack, on which were arranged with much taste, a nuers--and against the bulkhead was another stand, filled with htly polished
On the couch farthest from the door, on the starboard side, lay Ada; with her feet towards the stern, and her head supported by pillows; so that the full force of such air as could find its way through the ports should blow on her face As she slept, a fresh bloom slowly crept over her cheek, which had hitherto been of a deathlike paleness, and as her faithful attendant watched its appearance, she hailed it as a sign of returning health
In the centre of the cabin was a table on which now stood a large vase, filled with sweet-scented flowers, which spoke of the shore and civilisation There was, indeed, in the arrangeant luxury and warlike preparation, which gave it the appearance of the cabin of a yacht fitted for a voyage ae or treacherous people Whatever she was, Marianna seemed perfectly at hos belonging to it were scattered about; as were several articles of female apparel, which showed also that she considered the cabin sacred to herto her satisfaction, she again sat down composedly to her work, and a of her native island, in a tone, however, too low to run any risk of disturbing her , and then as soues going when they have nobody else to speak to, she began to talk to herself She did not raise her voice, it is true, above a whisper, but still it was sufficient to give exercise to that little fidgety occupant of the mouth
”Well, this is all very nice, and very pleasant, and very agreeable; and the gentlemen are very civil, and very respectful, and very kind; but I wonder e shall ever reach the shore,” she said; and then she went on singing again, and then once an to talk as follows:--”I suppose, as they say, we shall at last reach the shore, and everything will be as it should be, and my mistress will be happy and contented after all her troubles--poor dear, sweet, young lady--I'ly--that it does--I cannot make it out, no more, I a I anor Paolo is one of the wisest and entle very dreadful weighs on his spirits, I aht so at first; but when I hinted that he was, he gave the nearest approach to a smile of which he is capable, which I'm sure he would not have done, if he was a victi is certain, however--he saved the life ofhow to doctor, I'm sure she would have died--dear, dear, how sad it would have been--ould have become of me, too! Well, when she recovers, and I tell her all that has happened, I am sure she'll think the sain, she will be asking me so many questions--I wish that I could answer one half of them--first, she'll want to knohat has becoentleruood points--he had a kind heart, which enerous, too, when he thought people deserving, and then he dotingly lovedmistress, and intended to leave her all his money What shall I tell her has beco; for I know no more than she does; or what has become of the brave Captain Bowse, or his polite ed fellow, Mitchell I' ago have gone to the other world But to believe so would nor Paolo says sheAh! that will be the safest plan”
While she was running on in this way, a gentle knock was heard at the door--she sprang up, and went to it cautiously
”Who is there?” she asked
”It is I, Paolo--may I enter?” answered a voice fronor Paolo,” she whispered through the keyhole, and at the same time withdrew the bolts from the door As she did so she fancied she heard a bolt drawn slowly back outside When the door opened, a young h his features were e he spoke
”Has the lady yet awoke, and have you given her the potion I left for her?” he asked in a cautious tone
”_Si, signor_, she not only awoke, and drank up the draught, but she began to talk, and has now gone to sleep again,” replied Marianna ”See hoeetly she sleeps”
The young ht be able to see Ada's countenance
He observed the slight roseate tinge which had visited her cheek, and her cal
”The lady does well,” he whispered ”I will send you another draught to give her when she awakes, which she will not however do until towards the evening; and then, when she speaks, try to tranquillise her itation nor, I will tell her anything you advise,” answered Marianna ”But I a ; because I know that will be one of the first questions she will askman hesitated before he spoke
”Tell her,” he said, at last, ”that we are going to a place where she will be kindly and honourably treated; but that you know not the name of it I am not the commander of this vessel, nor can I direct her course; and I am not allowed to say reat influence with him who is comed the Maltese girl
”Indeed, I cannot,” answered the young man, mournfully ”My influence extends but a short way, and can be but rarely exerted in the cause of right Were I to atteether powerless”