Part 34 (1/2)

”Who is she? Why, the wife, or mistress, or lady love, or whatever you like to call her, of our chief, Zappa,” answered Vlacco

”Ah?” ejaculated the Maltese, and he turned to one of his coe Vlacco did not understand

It see, dark-skinned Maltese, though with features enerally are He spoke a feords to the interpreter, who then said--

”But, tell me, my friend, is the lady you speak of a Greek of these islands, or a stranger? We are anxious to knoho our intended benefactress is”

”I don't see how it matters to you, who or what she is, provided she is of service to you,” returned the pirate ”But as you want to know, I'll tell you, she's a foreigner, and our chief seems very fond of her; and she is of him, I should think, by the way she looks at him Will that answer serve you?”

The interpreter repeated what he had heard to his coh he tried to s, so as not to allow them to attract the attention of the islanders He was able to say a feords to the interpreter, who i in the island, or has she lately arrived, friend?”

”I a to answer any radually been losing the little a at all to you My orders were to see you safely into the lady's tohere I must lock you up; and, as soon as our chief comes back, if he takes ether”

”What, is your chief absent then?” said the Maltese, with a gleam of satisfaction in his countenance

”He is,” replied Vlacco

”Where has he gone, friend?” asked the persevering interpreter

”Hough,” was all the old pirate would answer

”When do you expect him back, friend?” inquired the interpreter

To this Vlacco would not deign a ”Hough;” but looked as if he was very much inclined to shove his interlocutor over the cliff

This put an effectual stop to further conversation with any of the islanders; but the strangers continued every now and then,observations to each other in a low tone, as they proceeded on their way to the tower

Old Vlacco hurried them on to the causeway, and past the eastern tohich was the one where Ada Garden resided, till they reached the habitation of poor Nina He then opened the door, rudely shoved them all in, and told them to amuse themselves as they best could in the dark, while he went to inform the lady of their arrival

The fury of the summer tempest had subsided, and the darkonly a few loitering stragglers to follow, in order to restore the sky to all its usual brightness The untiring waves still continued lashi+ng the base of the rocks; but their roar had lessened, and the white foaer flew in showers of spray up the steep cliffs

Ada Garden and the young Italian sat at the atching for the appearance of the shi+pwrecked nised theed to question them, to learn if they had coive her any infor the vessels of hich were there; and whether the _Ione_ had yet sailed for England

At all events, she thought, if they could effect their escape, they ence of her situation to Malta; and she doubted not, trusting to the chivalry of her countryland, every effort would be made for her release She whispered her hopes to Nina, who understood and promised to forward her wishes

”I should much like to speak with these poor ht excite suspicions whichdestruction on their heads”

”Fear not, lady; I will speak to thes of you,” said Nina ”For though I think not my husband would allow innocent s which h I do not comprehend them Even Paolo has of late come to see me but seldom, and is more silent and reserved than I ever before remember him I know not where it will all end, but now and then dark shadows pass before ate in the distance, till the whole future seeers”

Ada had scarcely listened to what her co the Maltese seaitation, that she felt it would overcoth; hope and fear rose alternately in her bosom, yet she was sure she was not uise, the dark-stained skin, she was as certain nearly as of her own existence, that she beheld Charles Fleetwood Love cannot be mistaken And yet his air and ere not as usual; the independent, buoyant step was not there, the free, bold carriage of the gallant sailor was gone, and he see engaged in an expedition, which she well knew must be to rescue her She had loved hi his liberty and his life for her, all the tenderest feelings of a woed to rush into his ar devotion She longed to call hi him know of her safety; but prudence restrained her; she felt that the slightest sign of recognition ht prove his destruction, and she endeavoured to conceal her feelings even fro Italian soon discovered that she was suffering from some powerful emotion, and the direction of her eyes betrayed the cause She at once saw that there was soht it kinder not to utter her suspicions

”I shall soon discover when I see theitate her by asking her questions”