“I have not been much with him, for I feel quite afraid of him;” continued Lilya. “He seems to me so very grand and proud in his appearance, that I dare scarcely look at him when we meet, and as for speaking I have then neither voice nor words. But he appears so good. He takes my hand in his, and he presses it so gently, and he says to me such encouraging things, and he looks upon my face with so much earnestness, that——”
“Oh it’s palpable!” cried Zabra, hastily interrupting his companion, and regarding her with a gloomy scowl.
“That I cannot help feeling that I like him very much; and, although I am afraid to utter a sentence, he still continues his kindness, and never lets my hand go from his. However, I must try to tell him how grateful I am. It is very foolish of me, I believe, in not saying how I feel towards him. But how you look at me, Zabra!” exclaimed Lilya, as she noticed the dark and angry expression of her companion’s features. “Is it displeasing to you that I do not express the sentiments I entertain? I will confess them. Are you angry because I do not like him so well as I ought to do? I will like him ever so much more.”
“Truly, you are obedient!” observed the other, with sarcastic emphasis; “a pattern of one who is willing to please! There cannot be a question about your dutifulness. Dupe, that I have been not to see your artifices! But who could have supposed that, under such apparent artlessness, there lurked so much treachery? Your deceit is well done. None would suspect it. It is the most finished piece of falsehood that ever was acted.”
“Falsehood! Deceit! Treachery!” exclaimed Libya, astonished and alarmed by the violence in the language and conduct of her companion. “What are such things to me, Zabra? I know them not. They cannot be for me to use. Oh, why do you look at me in so unkind a manner? They are not the looks that make me happy. I see you are angry with me, and I know not for why. I must have done some great wrong, or you would not behave to me in a way so unlike what you have used me to. And, indeed, I did not do it intentionally. I would not have offended you if I could have avoided it. What shall I do? Tell me what I shall do to acquire your forgiveness, and I will never repeat the offence again.”
“And do you think that I will now believe these professions?” inquired her companion, with considerable asperity. “Do you think, after having been once deceived, I would allow myself to be the victim of the same deception? Oh no! that can never be. You are discovered. I know you thoroughly. Away with you, and let me no more be made miserable by your presence.”
“Alas! alas! what heinous wrong have I done?” exclaimed Lilya, as the tears made their appearance on her cheeks. “I know not what it is—I cannot imagine any thing, unless it be my behaviour to Oriel Porphyry, that offended you. I acknowledge he deserved better treatment; but, if it be your desire, I will immediately go and tell him all that I think of him: and when he looks so kindly, and talks so kindly, and presses my hand——”
“Away, vile hypocrite!” shouted Zabra, as with looks of indignation and rage he pushed Lilya aside, and rushed from the place. She gazed after him without uttering a word. Her spirit appeared quite overwhelmed; and all the confidence she felt in his society completely deserted her. The heart of the timid girl seemed filled with a sense of desolation she had never before experienced, and she sat down in the seat he had vacated, and wept. Here she remained, in the full consciousness of her unprotected state, till the sound of approaching footsteps made her hurriedly seek concealment in some obscure part of the ship.
“The Albatross is crossing the Atlantic in very brilliant style, I think;” observed the young merchant.
“Yes, sir, she does spank along pretty smartly,” replied the captain. “But it’s utterly impossible for a better bit o’ timber to be found. She’s been tried in all sorts o’ weathers, in all sorts o’ seas; and no matter whether we were doubling the Cape, or beating about in that ere terrible monsoon in the Bay o’ Bengal, she stood on her feet like a trump, and answered to the helm as sensible as any born cretur.”