I'll tell you what--this is some professional actress Sir Charles has hired to waylay you.

Little simpleton!" He said no more at that time; but after dinner he ruminated, and took a very serious, indeed almost a maritime, view of the crisis.

"I'm overmatched now," thought he.

"They will cut my sloop out under the very guns of the flagship if we stay much longer in this port--a lawyer against me, and a woman too; there's nothing to be done but heave anchor, hoist sail, and run for it." He sent off a foreign telegram, and then went upstairs.

"Bella, my dear," said he, "pack up your clothes for a journey.