consequences might follow over and above the loss of the promised 2,000
pounds.

Wylie felt very disconsolate, and went down to Nancy Rouse depressed in
spirits. To his surprise she received him with more affection than ever,
and, reading his face in a moment, told him not to fret.

"It will be so in your way of life," said this homely comforter; "your
sort comes home empty-handed one day, and money in both pockets the next.
I'm glad to see you home at all, for I've been in care about you. You're
very welcome, Joe. If you are come home honest and sober, why, that is
the next best thing to coming home rich."

Wylie hung his head and pondered these words; and well he might, for he
had not come home either so sober or so honest as he went out, but quite
as poor.

However, his elastic spirits soon revived in Nancy's sunshine, and he
became more in love with her than ever.

But when, presuming upon her affection, he urged her to marry him and
trust to Providence, she laughed in his face.

"Trust to himprovidence, you mean," said she; "no, no, Joseph. If you are
unlucky, I must be lucky, before you and me can come together."

Then Wylie resolved to have his 2,000 pounds at all risks. He had one
great advantage over a landsman who has committed a crime. He could
always go to sea and find employment, first in one ship, and then in
another. Terra firma was not one of the necessaries of life to him.

He came to Wardlaw's office to feel his way, and talked guardedly to
Michael Penfold about the loss of the _Proserpine._ His apparent object
was to give information; his real object was to gather it. He learned
that old Wardlaw was very much occupied with fitting out a steamer; that
the forty chests of copper had actually come up from the _Shannon_ and
were under their feet at that moment, and that young Wardlaw was
desperately ill and never came to the office. Michael had not at that
time learned the true cause of young Wardlaw's illness. Yet Wylie
detected that young Wardlaw's continued absence from the office gave
Michael singular uneasiness. The old man fidgeted, and washed the air
with his hands, and with simple cunning urged Wylie to go and see him
about the _Proserpine,_ and get him to the office, if it was only for an
hour or two. "Tell him we are all at sixes and sevens, Mr. Wylie; all at
sixes and sevens."

"Well," said Wylie, affecting a desire to oblige, "give me a line to him;
for I've been twice, and could n