Part 18 (2/2)

”Lady, God never deserts those who trust in him,” he replied, about to quit the cabin

”Stay,” exclaimed Ada ”Those features, too, I have beheld before

Tell ely deceives us,” returned the surgeon, in his former cold tone, and before she had time to ask another question, he had quitted the cabin

She, as Marianna had before observed, heard a bolt drawn across it

On board what vessel they were there ht be a doubt; but there was none that they were prisoners

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Malta lay basking on the calm blue ocean, in the full radiance of a_Ione_the port fronal station at the top of Governuard-shi+p At the same time another sail appeared from the eastward She soon wasof war stood in for the harbour on a bowline, her yards braced up on the larboard tack; and a very beautiful object she appeared, with all her canvas to her royals set to a nicety, as she rounded Fort Saint Ele, when, at a wave of her coic, the whole crowd of canvas was in an instant clewed up and furled, and she brought up off Fort Saint Angelo

The , ran towards Port Marsa Musceit, and deliberately furling one sail after another, she dropped her anchor at the quarantine station, for she had coue, and et _pratique_ Captain Fleetwood ordered his gig and hastened on shore, in order to report hiovernor

He had just returned from a trip to Naples, where he had been sent to convey despatches and also to bring back a few casks of light wines for the governor's table He was cordially received by the old veteran, ho his departure when he was called back

”It may be for your satisfaction to learn, Captain Fleetwood, as I know that you are in a hurry to reach England, that you are to be sent hoovernor kindly

”I dare say we shall see you out here again before long, from what I hear, eh?” Charles Fleetwood actually blushed

”I shall certainly come back to the Mediterranean, with or without a shi+p, as soon as I can,” he answered; ”and I hope I shall find you well, sir”

”I shall be glad to see you, overnor kindly, as Fleetwood took his final leave On his way back to the shi+p he called at the post-office, for he was anxious to ascertain, without delay, if there were any letters for him He hoped to receive one from Cephalonia He felt sure Ada would have contrived to write to him; and as he made the inquiry his heart beat much faster than usual He had a packet of letters delivered to him; he ran his eye hurriedly over the addresses Her handwriting was not to be seen They were all froland He then ents and others about the _Zodiac_; but nothing had been heard of her It was supposed she o have arrived at her destination None of Colonel Gauntlett's friends had heard of him

Disappointed and out of spirits, he at last returned on board He was afraid that he should be obliged to leave Malta without hearing of her safe arrival; and then how ht receive a line frolad to hear that they were to revisit their homes, and as he passed Mr Saltwell, the first lieutenant, as superintending the business of sending the governor's casks of wine on shore, he told hiland in a day or two Before the captain had thrown himself on the sofa in his cabin, which he did as soon as he reached it, the joyous news had flown through the shi+p Jemmy Duff was the first to carry the news into the midshi+p round his cap, and letting it coster of his own standing, as reeling after the fatigue of furling sails, and eating his dinner,--”Old England for ever! Who'll bet that we shan't be kissing our sweethearts at home this day six weeks?”

”Why, what do youup

”Who'll take le, who did not like being disturbed, clearing his head at the same tily-looking chap as you are can have a sweetheart to kiss”

Whereon he got the cap pressed down harder than before, with his nose in a slop of ru out in that way?” asked Tompion, the second ster?”

”I do, though; and the skipper has just come on board to say so,”

replied Duff; and thereon there was a general shout of congratulation, for though all hands were very happy together, the thought of change was exciting, and that of home was dear to most of them

”Well, the hope of the Duffs will be once ratulate you, Jeet his own nose in order, after its flattening in onist out of joint a little

”Well, noe've had our cheer, and have all been flattering ourselves with the thoughts of home, I'm ready to take any bet Duff likes to land this day six weeks, or two months, if he likes, for I believe, after all, it's a hum of his; and I propose we cob hie subjects and gallant officers as he has done”

”I can prove, though, that I speak the truth,” exclaiainst hio and ask Mr Saltwell

He heard it frole ”Punishment first and proof afterwards That's the way the Turksfirst, and then go and ask Mr Saltwell, or the skipper hile,” retorted Duff ”You knoell enough that I' the truth; and mind, old chap, I shall keep you to your bet,--two months, you said”