"Ah!" exclaimed Ricardo grimly; "yes, I see the inevitable has happened! Well, well, I have nothing to say against it, nor will your mother, unless she has greatly altered since I knew her.  However, to revert to Lotta, I am afraid that, without in the least intending it, I have done that poor girl a very serious wrong.  We fell in with the boat in which she, Mammy, and two Spanish sailors were starving, just as a light air of wind had dropped to a dead calm; as a matter of fact we drifted right up alongside the boat, so that it became impossible to avoid taking those who were living out of her.  Even pirates have their gentle moments occasionally, and the sight of those four, perishing of hunger and of thirst, in a craft that had literally drifted alongside us, was more than we could endure; therefore we hauled them up out of the boat, brought them round, cared for them--and they have been inmates of my house ever since.  Lotta seemed quite content to remain; she never murmured, never expressed the slightest desire for a life different from that which she was living ashore here.  And where Lotta was content, Mammy was supremely happy; therefore--well, I got fond of the child, and resolutely refused to allow my thoughts to turn in the direction of sending her away from me.  But your coming has altered everything, I can see that.  When you go, she will have to go too; she would never be happy here again without you, that is certain.  Moreover, my eyes have been opened of late to the great wrong that I have been doing her.  She is a rich heiress, and ought now to be in possession of her property. Therefore, when I return--by which time you will doubtless be quite well again--I will give you the charge of Lotta and Mammy, and ask you to see that the former is safely placed in the care of her guardians.  While I am away this time I will arrange a plan by which these matters can be brought about, and will explain everything to you upon my return.  And now I think I have said everything that I had to say, and will therefore bid you good-night, and good-bye, since we shall sail at daybreak, and all hands, myself included, will sleep aboard to-night.  I hope that when I return, which will probably be in about a month from now, I shall find you quite well and strong again."