Gladly would she have changed the discourse; but, as this could not be done, she yielded to her native integrity of character, and told the truth, as far as she told any thing.
"The flowers that grow on the sunny side of these rocks, Admiral Bluewater, are singularly fragrant and beautiful," she said; "and hearing my mother and myself speaking of them, and how much the former delighted in them, though they were so seldom to be had, he just ventured over the cliff--not here, where it is so _very_ perpendicular, but yonder, where one _may_ cling to it, very well, with a little care--and it was in venturing a little--just a _very_ little too far, he told me, himself, sir, to-day, after dinner,--that the stone broke, and the accident occurred, I do not think Mr.Wycherly Wychecombe in the least fool-hardy, and not at all disposed to seek a silly admiration, by a silly exploit." "He has a most lovely and a most eloquent advocate," returned the admiral, smiling, though the expression of his countenance was melancholy, even to sadness; "and he is acquitted.

I think few men of his years would hesitate about risking their necks for flowers so fragrant and beautiful, and so much coveted by _your_ mother, Mildred." "And he a sailor, sir, who thinks so little of standing on giddy places, and laughs at fears of this nature ?" "Quite true; though there are few cliffs on board ship.

Ropes are our sources of courage." "So I should think, by what passed to-day," returned Mildred, laughing.
"Mr.Wycherly called out for a rope, and we just threw him one, to help him out of his difficulty.

The moment he got his rope, though it was only yonder small signal-halyards, he felt himself as secure as if he stood up here, on the height, with acres of level ground around him.

I do not think he was frightened, at any time; but when he got hold of that little rope, he was fairly valiant!" Mildred endeavoured to laugh at her own history, by way of veiling her interest in the event; but her companion was too old, and too discerning, to be easily deceived.