“Wilder!” exclaimed the Rover, grasping his hand, with a smile that partook of the wild peculiarity of the action, “we should have been acquainted earlier!  But regret is idle.  Go; should my people learn the truth, any remonstrances of mine would be like whispers in a whirlwind.”

“When last I joined the ‘Dolphin,’ I did not come alone.”

“Is it not enough,” rejoined the Rover, coldly recoiling for a step, “that I offer liberty and life?”

“Of what service can a being, fair, helpless, and unfortunate as this, be in a ship devoted to pursuits like those of the ‘Dolphin?’”

“Am I to be cut off for ever from communion with the best of my kind!  Go, sir; leave me the image of virtue, at least, though I may be wanting in its substance.”

“Captain Heidegger, once, in the warmth of your better feelings, you pronounced a pledge in favour of these females, which I hope came deep from the heart.”

“I understand you, sir.  What I then said is not, and shall not, be forgotten.  But whither would you lead your companions?  Is not one vessel on the high seas as safe as another?  Am I to be deprived of every means of making friends unto myself?  Leave me sir—­go—­you may linger until my permission to depart cannot avail you.”

“I shall never desert my charge,” said Wilder, firmly.

“Mr. Wilder—­or I should rather call you Lieutenant Ark, I believe”—­returned the Rover, “you may trifle with my good nature till the moment of your own security shall be past.”

“Act your will on me:  I die at my post, or go accompanied by those with whom I came.”

“Sir, the acquaintance of which you boast is not older than my own.  How know you that they prefer you for their protector?  I have deceived myself, and done poor justice to my own intentions, if they have found cause for complaints, since their happiness or comfort has been in my keeping.  Speak, fair one; which will you for a protector?”

“Leave me, leave me!” exclaimed Gertrude, veiling her eyes, in terror, from the insidious smile with which he approached her, as she would have avoided the attractive glance of a basilisk.  “Oh! if you have pity in your heart, let us quit your ship!”

Notwithstanding the vast self-command which the being she so ungovernably and spontaneously repelled had in common over his feelings, no effort could repress the look of deep and humiliating mortification with which he heard her.  A cold and haggard smile gleamed over his features, as he murmured, in a voice which he in vain endeavoured to smother,—­

“I have purchased this disgust from all my species and dearly must the penalty be paid!—­Lady, you and your lovely ward are the mistresses of your own acts.  This ship, and this cabin, are at your command; or, if you elect to quit both, others will receive you.”

“Safety for our sex is only to be found beneath the fostering protection of the laws,” said Mrs Wyllys “Would to God!”——­