"Did you say a gentleman? No, no, I will never marry her to one who
would take her as so much ballast to her gold, and scorn her as the
Rover's daughter."
"But you would scorn a poor man for her?"
"Blessed poverty!" exclaimed the sailor; "how would I hug it to my
heart--make it joint partner with my child in my affections, if it would
only bring a fair unspotted name in exchange for the gold it might take
away. Blessed poverty!"
It would appear that Robin was too much occupied by his own feelings to
be on the alert as usual; for Dalton was the first to perceive a man
stealing along by the side of, but not on, the path they had quitted; he
pointed him out to Robin's attention. In an instant the little Ranger
commenced reconnoitring; and came back without delay, to tell the
Captain that it was no other than Jack Roupall.
"Jack Roupall!" repeated Dalton, returning instantly to the path they
had quitted, saying aloud at the same time, "Why, Jack, what sends you
on this tack?"
Whether from some sudden tremor or astonishment, it cannot be
ascertained, nor could the ruffian himself account for it, he discharged
a pistol, evidently without aim, and Robin as instantly struck it from
his hand.
It was this report that had so terrified Barbara. But there was another
ear upon which it struck--in the solitude of that wild room in Cecil
Place. It sent the blood rushing to his evil brain;--he clasped his
hands in exultation; for the death-sound was to him the voice of
security; and he prayed--(that such wretches are allowed to pray!)--that
the bullet was at that moment wading in the life-stream of the
Buccaneer.