“’Tis lovely in your sex to say it,” he answered with an air that the sensitive governess fancied was gleaming with the growing licentiousness of a free booter.  She would now gladly have, dismissed her visiter; but a certain flashing of the eye, and a manner that was becoming gay by a species of unnatural effort, admonished her of the danger of offending one who acknowledged no law but his own will.  Assuming a tone and a manner that were kind, while they upheld the dignity of her sex, and pointing to sundry instruments of music that formed part of the heterogeneous furniture of the cabin, she adroitly turned the discourse, by saying,—­

“One whose mind can be softened by harmony and whose feelings are so evidently alive to the in fluence of sweet sounds, should not decry the pleasures of virtue.  This flute, and yon guitar, both call you master.”

“And, because of these flimsy evidences about my person, you are willing to give me credit for the accomplishments you mention!  Here is another mistake of miserable mortality!  Seeming is the everyday robe of honesty.  Why not give me credit for kneeling, morning and night, before yon glittering bauble?” he added, pointing to the diamond crucifix which hung, as usual, near the door of his own apartment.

“I hope, at least, that the Being, whose memory is intended to be revived by that image, is not without your homage.  In the pride of his strength and prosperity, man may think lightly of the consolations that can flow from a power superior to humanity:  but those who have oftenest proved their value feel deepest the reverence which is their due.”

The look of the governess had been averted from her companion; but, filled with the profound sentiment she uttered, her mild reflecting eye turned to him again, as, in a tone that was subdued, in respect for the mighty Being whose attributes filled her mind, she uttered the above simple sentiment.  The gaze she met was earnest and thoughtful as her own.  Lifting a finger he laid it on her arm, with a motion so light as to be scarcely perceptible, while he asked,—­

“Think you we are to blame, if our temperaments incline more to evil than power is given to resist?”

“It is only those who attempt to walk the path of life alone that stumble.  I shall not offend your manhood if I ask, do you never commune with your God?”

“It is long since that name has been heard in this vessel, Lady, except to aid in that miserable scoffing and profanity which simpler language made too dull, But what is He, that unknown Deity, more than what man, in his ingenuity, has seen fit to make him?”

“‘The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God,’” she answered, in a voice so firm, that it startled even the ears of one so long accustomed to the turbulence and grandeur of his wild profession. “’Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.  Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?  Declare if thou hast understanding.’”