Julia now joined them, and Julian exclaimed—“By Heaven! if she comes near enough I will swim on board her.”
Julia felt that she changed colour, as he addressed those words to her, for Mabel went to her mother; but, turning away her face, she said, “That would be madness, Monsieur Julian.”
Julian Arden was extremely glad of the society of Julia Plessis—her kindness of heart, sweet, cheerful disposition, and captivating manners, had won his esteem, and had not his love been previously given to Colonel Packenham’s daughter, there is little doubt but that the very pretty Julia, notwithstanding her disparity of birth, would have won his affection.
“Recollect, Monsieur Julian,” added Mademoiselle Plessis, “your mother and sister require your protection.”
“They cannot be benefited by my staying here, Julia,” said the young man, anxiously watching the Vengeance; “I can swim like a fish, and can be of service to my gallant friend.”
On came the Vengeance, and, as already related, our hero hailed and spoke the Ca-Ira. Julian’s jumping overboard created a painful sensation, but they saw he got safely on board the lugger. They witnessed the engagement between the two privateers; but fearing the Etoile might win, or the frigate cut them off, Captain Bonafoux crowded all sail along the coast, keeping an anxious eye upon the contest.
The three females stood, eagerly watching, and listening to the remarks of the captain to Monsieur Plessis. At length the former, with an oath, declared that the Vengeance had dismasted and taken the Etoile. It was very evident by his tone and manner, smuggler as he was, that he felt as a Frenchman.
“Sacre Dieu! that Lieutenant Thornton must be le diable! with a handful of men, and only a few guns, to take the Etoile. Ha! there goes the frigate’s guns. The Virginie is engaged with another ship, not near her size. We must not loiter, or you, madame, may pay the penalty.”
And, despite Mabel’s tears, and the entreaties of both mother and daughter, Captain Bonafoux bore away for the coast of England, leaving them all in a dreadful state of anxiety concerning the final fate of the Vengeance.
It was Captain Bonafoux’s intention to land them in a small bay to the eastward of Torquay. It was a sheltered bight, and during the night he would be able to put them on shore, scarcely three miles from the town of Torquay. To this arrangement the unhappy mother and daughter could make no objection.