Amherst perceiving, that the rough but righthearted sailor felt somewhat sore at his apparent neglect, went up to him, and taking his passive hand, repeated to him all those apologies he had just given to Sir Alisander and his Lady, taking care to season them with every thing kind in manner and expression. Cleaver, who at first surveyed him with a countenance that exhibited considerable dissatisfaction, and who allowed him to lift his arm as if it had belonged to the body of a dead man, by degrees relaxed the almost ludicrous sternness of his honest weather-beaten features as he spoke, whilst the warm life-blood was gradually brought back into his fingers, by the repeated cordial squeezes they received from his young friend; until, at last, his paw regaining its usual share of nerve, he shook Amherst's hand with an intensity of grasp, betokening the full return of his affection.

"Why, look ye, my boy," said he, “ Llam not very ready, d'ye see, to suspect you of want of regard for old Cleaver. But you must allow that appearances were confoundedly against you. To leave me so long in strange seas, without ever thinking it worth your while to throw me

out a single civil signal, of inquiry, It is true you knew that I was in a friendly harbour, where, let me tell you, I have not failed to be well drydocked and victualled, in as princely a manner as one of his Majesty's yachts." : 1oogide odi

After some general conversation, Cleaver retired to his apartment to rid himself of his shooting-gear, and Amherst accompanied him at his request, to let him into a little of his history since they had parted. He did not think it quite time to make Cleaver his confidant, regarding his attachment to Miss Malcolm, and had, therefore, no intention of informing him of it at present. But when he came to mention her name, he spoke of her almost insensibly, in language so glowing, that the sly sailor, after listening to him for some time, eyed him with one of his arch and significant looks, and, after one of his long whistles, exclaimed,

"Oh ho! my boy! I see how the land lies. Now, after all your palavering apologies, I come at last to the understanding of your neglect of old Cleaver. Why, here is a pretty business!not contented with running away from the wife your father chose for you, you are going to hook

yourself to one here, whom he knows nothing about." azad ¿basit e mi w I tdt wond nov

Amherst was a little vexed that he had thus unwarily exposed his secret. At first he tried to shift the subject; but the rough tar was not to be so easily thrown out; nay, the confusion accompanying all Amherst's attempts had the effect of making Cleaver still more satisfied, that there was something in the suspicions he had hazarded. Reflecting, therefore, that it was perhaps, after all, due to one who had already shown so lively an interest in his happiness, and whose warm regard for him had induced him to take so decided a step in his behalf, to give him his full confidence, he proceeded at once to tell him all that had passed between him and Miss Malcolm; and concluded by saying that, to complete his happiness, he only waited for her uncle's consent, of which he was certain as soon as his Lordship should return to Eaglesholme.

1

Cleaver, who saw that the match was perfectly fitting in every respect, joined with Amherst in opinion that his father, having had sufficient time to cool on the disappointment in regard to the marriage planned for him with Miss Delassaux, would

certainly be delighted with the prospect of his forming so honourable a connection as that with the niece of his old friend Lord Eaglesholme. 'Amherst expressed to Cleaver his determination to acquaint his father with his intentions, as soon as he should have it in his power to announce Lord Eaglesholme's approval to him. Meanwhile, he entreated Cleaver to say nothing of the matter to any one; and his friend, with a hearty congratulation on the happy result of their voyage, readily promised to keep his counsel.

Cleaver had little to communicate to Amherst in return for the important and joyful intelligence he had just got from him. He declared it was impossible to describe the kindness he had received from the excellent Baronet and his Lady. The fact was, his society had been perfectly delightful to Sir Alisander, and his exhaustless store of naval anecdotes, and accounts of foreign countries, had made the worthy man's evenings pass with an interest they had rarely possessed. The highest compliment Sir Alisander could have paid Cleaver was that of quitting his bed for his leathern-chair, several hours earlier than he was wont to do before he knew him, whenever he

heard in the morning that the Captain had no intention of going to shoot. The first questions he usually asked his servant, when he came to his apartment, regarded the Captain's motions, that he might regulate his motion or rest accordingly.

As for Lady Sanderson, Cleaver had absolutely won her heart by his admirable disquisitions upon the rearing of poultry and pigs, as well as by the numerous receipts for culinary and other purposes he added to her family memorandumbook. Above all, he had conferred an everlasting obligation by giving her a plan for a new and highly improved poultry-house and piggery, both of which had arisen into being during Amherst's absence, and entirely under Cleaver's direction and superintendence, nay, in some degree by the operation of his own hands;-"These Sawnies," as he said himself, "absolutely understanding nothing of such matters, and having no more hands than the animals for the erection of whose dwellings they were vainly and ignorantly labouring,"

He said, that he had indeed spoken of an intended trip to a neighbouring sea-port, but that