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an immediate sentence the means of getting possession of the lugger, as
had been hoped. When all these points had been sufficiently discussed,
and Cuffe had let his brethren into his view of the real state of the
case, he pointed out a course that he still trusted would prove
effectual. After a few minutes of further deliberation on this
information, the doors were opened and the court resumed its public
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sitting, as before.
"Let a young woman who is known by the name of Ghita be brought in
next," said the Judge Advocate, consulting his notes.
Raoul started, and a shade of manly concern passed over his face; but he
soon recovered and seemed unmoved. Ghita and her uncle had been taken
from the cabin stateroom, and placed below, in order that the private
consultation might be perfectly secret, and it was necessary to wait a
few minutes until she could be summoned. These past, the door opened,
and the girl entered the room. She cast a glance of tender concern at
Raoul; but the novelty of her situation, and the awful character of an
oath to one of her sensitive conscience and utter inexperience, soon
drew her attention entirely to the scene more immediately before her.
The Judge Advocate explained the nature of the oath she was required to
take, and then he administered it. Had Ghita been taken less by
surprise, or had she in the least foreseen the consequences, no human
power could have induced her to submit to be sworn; but, ignorant of all
this, she submitted passively, kissing the cross with reverence, and
even offering to kneel as she made the solemn protestation. All this was
painful to the prisoner, who distinctly foresaw the consequences. Still,
so profound was his reverence for Ghita's singleness of heart and mind,
that he would not, by look or gesture, in any manner endeavor to
undermine that sacred love of truth which he knew formed the very
foundations of her character. She was accordingly sworn, without
anything occurring to alarm her affectations, or to apprise her of what
might be the sad result of the act.
CHAPTER XVIII.
"Hic et ubique? Then we'll shift our ground:--
Come hither, gentlemen,
And lay your hands upon my sword:
Swear by my sword."
HAMLET.
"Your name is Ghita," commenced the Judge Advocate, examining his
memoranda--"Ghita what?"
"Ghita Caraccioli, Signore," answered the girl, in a voice so gentle and
sweet as to make a friend of every listener.
The name, however, was not heard without producing a general start, and
looks of surprise were exchanged among all in the room; most of the
officers of the ship who were not on duty being present as spectators.
"Caraccioli," repeated the Judge Advocate, with emphasis. "That is a
great name in Italy. Do you assume to belong to the illustrious house
which bears this appellation?"
"Signore, I assume to own nothing that is illustrious, being merely an
humble girl who lives with her uncle in the prince's towers on Monte
Argentaro."
"How happens it, then, that you bear the distinguished name of
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Caraccioli, signorina?"
"I dare say, Mr. Medford," observed Cuffe, in English, of course, "that
the young woman doesn't know herself whence she got the name. These
matters are managed very loosely in Italy."
"Signore," resumed Ghita, earnestly, after waiting respectfully for the
captain to get through, "I bear the name of my father, asake a friend of every listener.
The name, however, was not heard without producing a general start, and
looks of surprise were exchanged among all in the room; most of the
officers of the ship who were not on duty being present as spectators.
"Caraccioli," repeated the Judge Advocate, with emphasis. "That is a
great name in Italy. Do you assume to belong to the illustrious house
which bears this appellation?"
"Signore, I assume to own nothing that is illustrious, being merely an
humble girl who lives with her uncle in the prince's towers on Monte
Argentaro."
"How happens it, then, that you bear the distinguished name of
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Caraccioli, signorina?"
"I dare say, Mr. Medford," observed Cuffe, in English, of course, "that
the young woman doesn't know herself whence she got the name. These
matters are managed very loosely in Italy."
"Signore," resumed Ghita, earnestly, after waiting respectfully for the
captain to get through, "I bear the name of my father, as is usual with
children, but it is a name on which a heavy disgrace has fallen so
lately as yesterday; _his_ father having been a sight for the thousands
of Naples to gaze on, as his aged body hung at the yard of one of
your ships."
"And do you claim to be the grand-daughter of that unfortunate
admiral?"
"So I have been taught to consider myself; may his soul rest in a peace
that his foes would not grant to his body! That criminal, as you
doubtless believe him, was my father's father, though few knew it, when
he was honored as a prince and a high officer of the king's."
A deep silence followed; the singularity of the circumstance, and the
air of truth which pervaded the manner of the girl, uniting to produce a
profound sensation.
"The admiral had the reputation of being childless," observed Cuffe, in
an undertone. "Doubtless this girl's father has been the consequence of
some irregular connection."
"If there has been a promise or any words of recognition uttered before
witnesses," muttered Lyon, "accordin' to the laws of Scotland, issue and
a few pairtenant expressions will splice a couple as strongly as ye'll
be doing it in England before either of the archbishops."
"As this is Italy, it is not probable that the same law rules here.
Proceed, Mr. Judge Advocate."
"Well, Ghita Caraccioli--if that be your name--I wish to know if you
have any acquaintance with a certain Raoul Yvard, a Frenchman, and the
commander of a private lugger-of-war, called le Feu-Follet? Remember,
you are sworn to tell the truth, the _whole_ truth, and nothing but
the truth."
Ghita's heart beat violently, and the color came into her face with the
impetuosity of sensitive alarm. She had no knowledge of courts, and the
object of the inquiry was unknown to her. Then followed the triumph of
innocence; the purity of her mind and the quiet of her conscience
reassuring her by bringing the strong conviction that she had no reason
to blush for any sentiment she might happen to entertain.
"Signore," she said, dropping her eyes to the floor, for the gaze of all
the court was fastened on her face--"I _am_ aquainted with Raoul Yvard,
the person you mention; this is he who sits between those two cannon. He
is a Frenchman, and he _does_ command the lugger called the Feu-Follet."
"I knew we should get it all by this witness!" exclaimed Cuffe, unable
to suppress the relief he felt at obtaining the required testimony.
"You say that you know this of your own knowledge," resumed the Judge
Advocate--
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"Messieurs," said Raoul, rising, "will you grant me leave to speak? This [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]