At this instant, Ithuel again whispered: "The time's near.

Old Carlo has his orders, and little Ghita is alive to see them obeyed.

All now depends on silence and activity.

In less than five minutes, the boat will be under the port." Raul understood the plain; but it struck him as hopeless.

It seemed impossible that Ghita could be permitted to quit the ship without a hundred eyes watching her movements, and, though it was dark, it was far from being sufficiently so to suppose it practicable for any one to join her and not be seen.