A priest came shortly after to his cell,

To shrive his soul and give him absolution;

And lower yet Gonello's spirits fell

When he beheld this reverend intrusion. But then the turret's melancholy bell

Gave out the signal of his execution;

And he was led forth to the public square,

The cowl'd monk whispering at his side, "prepare!"

NIGHTS AT SEA;

Or, Sketches of Naval Life during the War.

BY THE OLD SAILOR.

No. XI.

"The course of true love never did run smooth."

LORD C-FORD AND THE PIRATE.

"I SLEPT soundly that night, (continued his lordship), and the next morning, having equipped myself in my uniform, I endea. voured to obtain an interview with the beautiful Julia, who had taken such strong hold of all my mental faculties. I gave my guard the most solemn assurances that I would not attempt to escape if he would allow me to quit my room. I also presented him with a doubloon, and the request was complied with. But Susette was on the watch, and, as I passed along the gallery, she fell on her knees and clung to me with desperate energy, at the same time pouring out

the most passionate exclamations of grief. Her swollen eyes and pale cheeks plainly evinced the manner in which she had passed the hours of the night, and the evidences of her agony were too pal. pable to excite the smallest suspicion of deception. I raised her up, talked to her, tried to sooth her mind, and endeavoured to rally her out of the attachment she professed to have for me, at the same time pointing out the utter in possibility of its meeting with a suitable

return.

"You have deluded me, monsieur,' said she, as a fresh burst of anguish, mingled with resentment, convulsed her features, 'basely deluded me!'

"No, no, Susette,' I emphatically pronounced; you have deceived yourself. But come, come, do not be a simpleton, and indulge thus in useless regrets. I leave you to day, and perhaps we may never

meet again.'

"You know but little of my heart if you can think so meanly of me,' she quickly replied. Who is to visit you in prison if I do not? Who will attend to your necessities, and administer to your comforts, if I refrain? No, monsieur; though you have betrayed me in your lighter mirth, though you love me not, yet it shall never be said that my affections-the affections of the lowly Susette-withered beneath the blast of your adversity.'

There was a heroic fervour in the poor girl's manner that powerfully interested me, and pleaded strongly in her favour.

"But, Susette,' said I, in a tone of reasoning, they will not allow you to enter the gaol; and if they would, I ought not, under all circumstances, to give my sanction to it. No, no, Susette, you must not run any risk for me. It will not be long before I shall be exchanged or at liberty.' The thought rushed upon my mind that, being deprived of my parole, I could make use of her assistance to ef fect my escape: but the remembrance of Julia banished the idea. You may, however, materially serve me, Susette,' said I.

"How?-in what?' inquired she, eagerly catching hold of my

arm, and gazing in my face, whilst her looks manifested the keenest desire to comply with my wishes. Ask my life, and it is yours!'

"May I confide in you, Susette?' I solemnly asked; 'will you not betray me?-will not jealousy-revenge-'

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"Ha!' uttered the sorrowing girl as she drew a convulsive respiration, jealousy!-revenge? Is it even so? Am I scorned, contemned, loathed, abandoned for another? Yet what am I, that I should aspire to happiness? An outcast thrown upon the world as the receptacle for its contempt!'

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Susette,' remonstrated I, 'why should you imagine such unaccountable things? But I see you will not be my friend, and therefore we will part.'

"I would be more than your friend,' returned she with energy, I would be your devoted worshipper, your abject slave. What is there in Susette's power that she would not readily undertake to prove her love. You may, you must confide in me. I will perish rather than betray you-I will die with your name upon my lips!' and she burst into tears.

"Time was getting very precious to me-I had no other chance of gaining access to Julia; and, observing that Susette was more placid, I said, 'Well, then, I will put trust in you; and, though the task may be painful, yet I am certain you will not shrink-Ma'm'selle Julia-'

"Ha!' shrieked the unhappy girl, as she drew herself rigidly up, and her countenance assumed a livid whiteness. She pressed her hands upon her forehead, and her look was wild despair-the next instant she darted upon me like an adder from its coil-a poniard gleamed for a moment in the air-it descended erringly and harmlessly, and Susette fell prostrate without animation or sensibility on the floor. The shriek and the noise alarmed several of the household, and both Monsieur Leffler and his daughter hastened to the spot. I endeavoured to make it appear that I had been drawn thither by a similar impulse; but Julia looked incredulous, and the poor girl was carried away to her own apartment. Leffler, with the politesse of his nation, could do no other than introduce me to the beautiful girl before me; and, as accident had thus brought us together, I endeavoured to improve the opportunity by conversation. I could see that my voice was familiar to her ear, by the sudden starts which she gave when I addressed her, and the abrupt earnestness with which she frequently gazed on my features. There was a restlessness in her mind which could not, however, dispel the clouds of mystery that hung around her remembrances. The voice was that of Henri, but the person was that of the English prisoner.

'We breakfasted together, and Leffler seemed to be really grieved at the prospect of my leaving him, though I certainly did not give him much credit for sincerity; but Julia warmly expressed her regret, and importuned her father to use his endeavours to avert it. He shrugged up his shoulders, shook his head, and then slowly whispered,

"Monsieur is too generous to expect me to sacrifice all I am worth, perhaps my very life, to entreat so small a service, and which no doubt would at once be promptly refused.'

'I readily acquiesced in his views, and spoke lightly of their

apprehensions, expressing a conviction that my incarceration would not be of long duration, as the interval of aberration of intellect, when proved by the medical men, must exonerate me. My guard reminded me that the hour for departure had arrived; but I entreated a little longer delay, which was purchased by another piece of gold. The conversation turned upon the events of the preceding day, and whilst Julia was speaking in high terms of her defender, Monsieur Leffler was called out on business, and we were left alone.

"Your defender, Miss Leffler, has been captured" said I. He came here early this morning to seek you, and fell into the hands of his enemies.'

"Pauvre Henri !' uttered Julia in great agitation, as the tears rushed to her eyes; he deserved a better fatc.

"And can one so surpassingly lovely,' said I, with something like reproach in my manner, can one so beautiful as Miss Leffler bestow her affections on a negro ?'

"Your question is most unmanly and insulting, sir,' uttered she in anger, whilst her dear little heart was ready to burst with grief and vexation. She rose from her seat to quit the room; but the only passage was close by my side, and as she had essayed to go by, I held up the token.

Do ladies present rings,' said I, without attaching any meaning to the gift? You will pardon me, Miss Leffler, for being thus abrupt, but the moments are precious.' She eyed the token with evident astonishment, then sank in a chair by my side. • Your negro friend entreated me to place this bauble in your sight, and your pledge was given to try and save him. He also made me acquainted with his claims-’

His claims?' repeated Julia in an inquiring tone of contempt and surprise. Pray, what claims, sir, did he urge? He is a negro, sir, kind, brave, and generous, it is true, ay, even to shame many a whiter skin; but he has no claim except upon my gratitude, and that will prompt me to struggle for his rescue. You, I am sure, will not despise a gallant and intrepid spirit because it may be covered by a

dark skin.'

You have rightly judged me, lady,' rejoined I emphatically; ' and though I would not have you love Her eye flashed with im patience.

It is folly, sheer folly, to cherish such a preposterous thought,' said she, and I must insist that my ears are not again outraged by so hor. rible an idea. Yet, sir, that man twice saved me from destruction-he snatched me from a dreadful fate-he has-in short, he merits all my best exertions in his behalf; and I must also demand your assistance in my endeavours to obtain his freedom.'

'Oh that I were the happy man!' exclaimed I in a tone of tenderness that made Julia start, and fix her eyes steadily npon me. Had I been your deliverer, lady, could you I lowered my voice to deep pathos would you have loved me?'

That is a prompt question, monsieur,' returned she, smiling through the gloom of sorrow that hung upon her brow: perhaps Susette could best afford you a reply,' and she rose to depart.

Stay-one moment stay, Miss Leffler,' said I, as I caught her hand with ardour. Susette is no more to me than Henri is to you.' She gently tried to disengage herself. Nay, nay,' continued I, my

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