“Isabel.—­Anywhere to avoid matrimony:  the thought of a husband is
  terrible to me.

  Inis.—­But if you might choose for yourself, I fancy matrimony would
  be no such frightful thing to you.”

       “The Wonder.”

The Boadicea, with the Indiamen, proceeded on to their destination, Captain Carrington taking every opportunity which light winds and smooth water afforded him of paying his respects to the ladies on board of the Bombay Castle, or of inviting them on board of the frigate.  The fact was that he had fallen most desperately in love with Isabel Revel, and paid her the most marked attention; but, although a pleasant, light-hearted companion, and a young man of good family and prospects, Isabel Revel had not fallen in love with him:  she liked his company, but nothing more.

In a month the squadron had arrived at the island of St Helena, to which Captain Carrington had been ordered to convoy them:  his directions were then to cruise in a certain latitude, and ultimately to proceed on to the East Indies, if he did not fall in with the vessels he expected.  It was, therefore, but parting to meet again; but during the short time that they refitted and completed their water at St Helena, Captain Carrington proposed, and was politely refused by Isabel Revel.  Impatient as a boy who has been denied his plaything, he ordered his stores immediately on board, and the next day quitted the island.  It may appear strange that a young lady, obviously sent out on speculation, should have refused so advantageous an offer; for the speculation commences with the voyage.  Some ladies are selected at Madeira.  Since the Cape has been in our possession, several have been induced to stay in that colony; and very often ships arrive with only the refuse of their cargo for the intended market in the East.  But Isabel Revel had consented to embark on the score of filial duty, not to obtain a husband, unless she liked the gentleman who proposed; and Captain Carrington did not happen to come up to her fanciful ideas of the person to be chosen for life.  Captain Carrington did not impart the intelligence of his ill-success to anyone but Newton, who was employed to carry his farewell message.  His secret was faithfully kept by both.  Isabel Revel was not one of those young ladies who would make use of such an unworthy advantage to heighten her consequence in the eyes of others.  But there was another reason, not exactly known to Isabel herself at the time, which prevented her from listening to the proposals of Captain Carrington.  Had she questioned her own heart, she would have discovered that she was prepossessed in favour of one who as unconsciously had become attached to her.  He knew his own feelings, but had checked them in the bud, aware that he had nothing to offer but himself.  This person was Newton Forster.  His intimacy with Captain Carrington, the attention shown him by Captain Drawlock (who entrusted him to work the chronometers!!),