entirely to the scene more immediately before her.  The Judge Advocate explained the nature of the oath she was required to take, and then he administered it.  Had Ghita been taken less by surprise, or had she in the least foreseen the consequences, no human power could have induced her to submit to be sworn; but, ignorant of all this, she submitted passively, kissing the cross with reverence, and even offering to kneel as she made the solemn protestation.  All this was painful to the prisoner, who distinctly foresaw the consequences.  Still, so profound was his reverence for Ghita’s singleness of heart and mind, that he would not, by look or gesture, in any manner endeavor to undermine that sacred love of truth which he knew formed the very foundations of her character.  She was accordingly sworn, without anything occurring to alarm her affectations, or to apprise her of what might be the sad result of the act.

CHAPTER XVIII.

     “Hic et ubique?  Then we’ll shift our ground:—­
     Come hither, gentlemen,
     And lay your hands upon my sword: 
     Swear by my sword.”

     HAMLET.

“Your name is Ghita,” commenced the Judge Advocate, examining his memoranda—­“Ghita what?”

“Ghita Caraccioli, Signore,” answered the girl, in a voice so gentle and sweet as to make a friend of every listener.

The name, however, was not heard without producing a general start, and looks of surprise were exchanged among all in the room; most of the officers of the ship who were not on duty being present as spectators.

“Caraccioli,” repeated the Judge Advocate, with emphasis.  “That is a great name in Italy.  Do you assume to belong to the illustrious house which bears this appellation?”

“Signore, I assume to own nothing that is illustrious, being merely an humble girl who lives with her uncle in the prince’s towers on Monte Argentaro.”

“How happens it, then, that you bear the distinguished name of Caraccioli, signorina?”

“I dare say, Mr. Medford,” observed Cuffe, in English, of course, “that the young woman doesn’t know herself whence she got the name.  These matters are managed very loosely in Italy.”

“Signore,” resumed Ghita, earnestly, after waiting respectfully for the captain to get through, “I bear the name of my father, as is usual with children, but it is a name on which a heavy disgrace has fallen so lately as yesterday; his father having been a sight for the thousands of Naples to gaze on, as his aged body hung at the yard of one of your ships.”

“And do you claim to be the grand-daughter of that unfortunate admiral?”

“So I have been taught to consider myself; may his soul rest in a peace that his foes would not grant to his body!  That criminal, as you doubtless believe him, was my father’s father, though few knew it, when he was honored as a prince and a high officer of the king’s.”