“I beg your pardon; but, Emma, I am afraid that I must leave you.”
“Leave us!”
“Yes, leave you and Portsmouth for ever, perhaps.”
“Why, what has occurred?”
“I cannot, dare not tell. Will you so far oblige me to say nothing at present; but you recollect that I was obliged to leave Gravesend on a sudden.”
“I recollect you did, but why I know not; only Mary said that it was not your fault.”
“I trust it was not so; but it was my misfortune. Emma, I am almost distracted; I have not slept for weeks; but pray believe me, when I say that I have done no wrong; indeed—”
“We are interrupted,” said Emma, hurriedly; “there is somebody coming upstairs.”
She had hardly time to remove a few feet from our hero, when Captain B—, of the Niobe, entered the room.
“Good morning, Miss Phillips, I hope you are well; I just looked in for a moment before I go to the Admiral’s office; we have had a catastrophe on board the Niobe, which I must report immediately.”