"Sir George, I shall impeach you of high treason against me, the liege lady of this fortress, that on a night when all is joy, you, who are generally the gayest, should be sad.

What excuse can you urge in your defence ?" "Is Edward unworthy of the high privilege of being a sailor, Sir George ?" whispered Ellen, archly, "or is your wrath against me, for not joining your expedition this morning, to be extended to him?
will you not look on him as a brother seaman ?" "Nay, Ellen, I must toil through long years of servitude, I must reap very many laurels, ere I can deserve that title," said Edward.

"The name of Sir George Wilmot is too well known on the broad seas for me to hope for more than a word of encouragement from him, or to enable me to look on him with any other feelings than those of the deepest reverence and respect." "Ay, ay, young man, you wish to surprise the old hulk to surrender; gaily rigged and manned as you are, you think, by a show of homage to me, to surprise me into paying it to you," said the old man, rousing himself from his abstraction, and laughing as he spoke.

"Do not deny it, youngster, but I forgive you; for I have been an old fool, Mrs.
Hamilton.

I plead guilty, and throw myself on your mercy.