The Sea-Witch

to the date, or thereabouts, on which our story opens. It was on one of those close, sultry afternoons that characterize the climate of summer in India, that two of our charact

t without interest, while on his part the most casual observer might have read in h

lender and delicate in form to meet a painter's idea of perfection, but yet just such an idol as a poet would have worshipped. She was strikingly handsome, and there was a brilliancy and spirit in the glance of her dark eyes that told of much character, and much depth of feeling; and whil

r peak. The officer was young, but bore the insignia of his rank upon his person, which showed him to be the captain of yonder proud vessel. He might have been five or six and twenty, but scarcely more, and bore about him those unmistakab

n on whom to bestow her favors; but I am sure that

said, coolly, as she tossed her fragrant fan of sa

tington, if he is unsuccessful, thinks himself at

ines to give him a reason,"

o appeal, I must acknowle

one, captain; and so

Huntingto

nt the coquette's part. I thank you for the compliment you pay me by these assurances, but you are fully aware that I can never

ld and impassive towards me, ever turning a deaf

han needless, and a matter that is exceedingly unpleasant to me. I must earnestl

red the discomfited lover, as he rose from the seat h

countenance as he struggled to control the vehemence of his feelings,

ars of continued assiduity, may yet outweigh your

mother!" she said, interrupting herself, "I have been looking at the captain's sh

and especially so when she bears the flag tha

on, who had just joined her daughter on the piaz

waits her commander," he replied, rather mechanica

were to favor us with a lo

d been her that had expressed such a desire. But she still gazed a

lt our own wishes as to a cruising ground; but I frankly own that it was

e gazed on that distant sea. He paused for a moment more, almost trembling with suppressed emotions of disappointment, chagrin and anger

bowed respectfully and said "Good-by;" and to her, who now turned with evident feeling evinced in her lovely face at the idea of a long parting, he offered his ha

assumed gaiety of tone; but there was no reply. He bowed low and hastene

here lingered some strange interest about him in her mind, as was evinced by her now repairing to the window, and sitting behind the broad shadow of its painted screen, where she watched his approach to she landing, near the city

sea, and then a clear white cloud of smoke burst from her bows as she gathered steerage-way, and a dull heavy report of distant ordinance boomed upon the ear of th

nd to enjoy with his wife and only child. But death had stepped in to put an abrupt end to his hopes, and to render abortive all his well-arranged plans, some twelve months previous to the period of which we have spoken. Mrs. Hun

his distant land. But no one had seemed to mate the least impression upon her heart; the gayest and wittiest found in her one quite their equal; the thoughtful and pathetic were equally at home by her side; but her heart, to them

hness of her heart and innocence of her mind. Far too pure and good and gentle was she for him who had so earnestly sued for her hand, as we have seen. Beneath a gentlemanly exterior, that other, whom we have

hich we have before alluded, had led him early to seek employment in the navy, and by dint of influence and attention to his profession, he had gradually risen to the position in which we have found him, as a commander

rit which his profession usually inspires in those who adopt it as a calling, shining within the recesses of his breast. Entirely unlike Miss Huntington in every particular, we have yet seen that he exercised some singu

ly instructed in domestic duties. There was no mock-modesty about the mother, she was straightforward and literal in all she said or did; evidently of excellent family, she was sufficiently assured of her position not to be sensitive about its recognition by others, and preferred to instil

im of life were to learn how to captivate a husband; she preferred to make her daughter a true and noble-hearted woman, possessed of intrinsic excellence, rather than to make

England?" said the daughter, soon after the scene which

solicitor to close up all his business relative to your father

ere, mother, for, save my dear father's death,

ear; but after all, we shall be returning to our native land, and that is a

the child, recalling the past; "a

and mignonette, which bloomed and shed their perfume with rare sweetness, she dreamed of her native land, of him who had that day lef