notion of its intrinsic value. Captain Truck's eye caught the action, and he reclaimed his property quite as unceremoniously as it had been taken away, nothing but the presence of the ladies preventing an outbreaking that would have amounted to a declaration of

war.

"With your permission, sir," said the captain drily, after he had recovered the bowl, not only without the other's consent, but, in some degree, against his will. "This bowl is as precious in my eyes as if it were made of my father's bones."

"You may, indeed, think so," returned the land-agent," for its cost would not be less than one hundred dollars."

"Cost, sir! - But, my dear young lady, let us talk of the real value. For what part of these things am I indebted to you ?"

"The bowl is my offering," Eve answered smilingly, though a tear glistened in her eye as she witnessed the strong unsophisticated feeling of the old tar. "I thought it might serve sometimes to bring me to your recollection

"It shall-it shall, by the Lord! and Mr. Saunders needs look to it if he do not keep this work as bright as a cruising frigate's bottom. To whom do I owe the coal-tongs?"

"They come from Mr. John Effingham, who insists that he will get nearer to your heart than any of us, though the gift be of so little cost."

"He does not know me, my dear young lady: nobody ever got so near my heart as you; no, not even my own dear pious old mother. But I thank Mr. John Effingham from my inmost spirit, and shall seldom smoke without thinking of him. The watch I know is Mr. Effingham's, and I ascribe the trumpet to Sir George."

The bows of the several gentlemen assured the captain he was right, and he shook each of them cordially by the hand, protesting in the fulness of his heart, that nothing would give him greater pleasure than to be able to go through again in their good company the

same perilous scenes as those from which they had so lately escaped.

While this was going on, Aristobulus, notwithstanding the rebuke he had received, contrived to get each article in succession into his hands, and by dint of poising it on a finger, and by examining it, to form some approximative notion of its inherent value. The watch he actually opened, taking as good a survey of its works as the circumstances of the case would very well allow.

"I respect these things, sir, more than you respect your father's grave," said Captain Truck sternly, as he rescued the last article from what he thought the impious grasp of Aristobulus; "and, cat or no cat, they sink or swim with me for the remainder of the cruise. If there is any virtue in a will, which I am sorry to say I hear there is not any longer, they shall share my last bed with me, be it ashore or be it afloat. My dear young lady! fancy all the rest; but, depend on it, punch will be sweeter than ever taken from

this vessel, and sweethearts and wives' will never be so honoured again."

"We are going to a ball this evening, at the house of one with whom I am sufficiently intimate to take the liberty of introducing a stranger; and I wish, gentlemen," said Mr. Effingham, bowing to Aristobulus and the captain, by way of changing the conversation," you would do me the favour to be of our party."

Mr. Bragg acquiesced very cheerfully, and as a matter of course; while Captain Truck, after protesting his unfitness for such scenes, was finally prevailed on by John Effingham to comply with the request also. The ladies remained only a few minutes longer at table, but Mr. Effingham followed the old custom of sitting at the bottle until summoned to the drawing-room, a usage that continues to exist in America for a reason no better than the fact that it continues to exist in England, it being almost certain that it will cease in New York the season after it is known to have ceased in London.

CHAPTER III.

"Thou art as wise as thou art beautiful."

SHAKSPEARE.

As Captain Truck asked permission to initiate the new coal-tongs by lighting a cigar, Sir George Templemore contrived to ask Pierre, aside, if the ladies would allow him to join them. The decided consent having been obtained, the baronet quietly stole from table, and was soon beyond the odours of the dining-room.

"You miss the censer, and the frankincense," said Eve, laughing, as Sir George entered the drawing-room; "but you will remember we have no church establishment, and dare not take such liberties with the ceremonials of the altar."