Trembling and almost gasping for breath, she fell on her knees and implored mercy.

“It can be shown,” said my father “only on one condition, a full confession of every thing connected with your being here.”

“But,” faltered she, “if I do shall I be given up to them and they will surely kill me if I am.”

“Tell the truth,” said my father, “and if, as I judge from your last words; you are the tool of others, you shall be protected, and if deserving, or even repentant, shall be cared for:  but stay,” said he, pouring out a glass of wine, “you are greatly agitated, take this and then sit down.  Now, if you will tell the truth, you may dismiss your fears, and by making the only reparation in your power, a full disclosure, you may also make a friend of me.”

“Indeed Sir I will, for I feel sure you will keep your word.”

“You see before you one, who till the last few years, knew not the ways of sin.  I was carefully and tenderly brought up some miles from here; but forming an acquaintance with a young man, I married him against the wishes of my parents.  I soon found out he was a smuggler, for he brought me to these parts, where I have been compelled to act the character you saw this evening, to prevent any body buying the place, it being so near the sea and having a passage under ground it just suited for the purpose.  The gang consists of six men who are all but one gone out with a boat to fetch a cargo; the moon sets about half past three, when they will bring it in.  Had you been here last night they were all in the cave.”

“Would you like to return to the paths of duty and virtue?” asked my father.

“Oh yes Sir, but how can I, who will now look on me, how can I leave one, who though so wicked and I fear hardened in wickedness is still very dear to me?”

“Only purpose to do rightly,” said my father, and God will surely open a way for you.  All you have to do, is to pray to and trust in him.”

“Oh Sir that is what my poor old father would say, that is just how he used to talk to me;” and she fell to crying bitterly.

“Is he still living?”

“He is Sir, for a letter I wrote begging his forgiveness, was returned to a neighbouring post-office, only the other day.”

Papa then insisted on her taking some more refreshment, and looking at his watch perceived it was nearly one o’clock:  much was to be done, ere the smugglers returned.  The woman informed him that only one then remained who ought to have been on the watch, to light a beacon prepared in case of any danger, but that there was so little fear of any thing of the kind, that he had freely indulged in spirits, of which there were plenty in the cave and was now fast asleep, in a state of intoxication, consequently, could be secured without any difficulty.  She accompanied papa and Davy to the bed, but on reaching it started back with horror, and would have fallen,