Terrence was an orator, and
with his ready wit, soon had the audience roaring and wild with
enthusiasm.
Fernando did not hear much of the speech, for he and Morgianna had
stolen away to the rocky promontory to listen to the sad sea waves,
while they built air castles for the future.
Next day, Mr. St. Mark expressed a wish to see Captain Lane in private.
The request was granted, and when they were alone in the apartment of
the old sea-captain, St. Mark said:
"Pardon me, Captain Lane; but I wish to speak to you on family matters,
which may seem not to concern me."
"Heave ahead, shipmate, for I have no family secrets."
"Will you tell me the maiden name of your wife?"
"I never had a wife."
This announcement brought St. Mark to his feet, and his usually placid
features exhibited the wildest excitement. "Never married! But your
daughter--"
"Only daughter by adoption, shipmate. She is no blood relation to me,
though I love her as dearly as any father could."
"But her father--her mother?"
"I don't know who either of them are, I can only suspect."
"Don't you know their names?"
"I never did."
"This is remarkable!" and the features of the usually quiet man betrayed
the greatest excitement. "Where did you find her and when?"
"I found her at sea when she was a baby, too young to speak or remember
anything of herself."
"Captain Lane, do you mind telling me all about the finding of her?"
The captain did not, and proceeded to tell him the story of Morgianna,
which the reader already knows.
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