not suffer by what you do for me."

"Well," said the doctor, slowly and thoughtfully, as he looked at the
two lads, who were intently listening for his words, "what do you think,
Rodd? Shall we sail in company with the brig for a little longer?"

"Am I to be judge, uncle?" said the boy merrily. "Yes, if you like."

"Well, then," said the lad, with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, as
he found that Morny with lips parted was gazing at him with a look of
appeal, "you see, uncle, we have been together a good while now, and
though we tried to help the brig we seem to have dragged it into a good
deal of mischief."

"What are you saying, Rodd?" cried Morny passionately.

"Oh, I mean that we have helped you a bit, but you have been very
unlucky since we have been together. Still, if Morny doesn't mind
risking it, and doesn't mind putting up with my jokes about _la belle
France_, and yours, uncle, about the Emperor Napoleon--"

Morny started, and looked sharply at his father.

"--though by this time," continued Rodd, "I suppose you, sir, have found
out that at heart uncle is very fond of the Emperor, and admires him
very much--"

"You impudent young scoundrel, how dare you!" growled the doctor.
"Bah!" he muttered to himself, "Temper!" Then turning quickly to the
Count, he said almost apologetically, "Don't take any notice. I have
spoilt him, sir; I have spoilt him. Look here, my dear sir; I shall
very much regret the day when we have to part, for my own sake and for
my nephew's, for since he has had the advantage of your son's
companionship I have been in hopes that he would acquire something of
his refinement and polish, and that it might lead in time to his
achieving to somewhat of the carriage of a gentleman. I regret to say
that so far he is as rough and boorish as ever. Still, in the hope that
every one of his opportunities may not be thrown away, I shall be glad
to prolong the intimacy a little longer. There, sir," he snapped out,
as he turned sharply upon Rodd, "what do you say to that?"

"It's all right, Morny," said the boy quietly. "Go on polishing. I'll
be more attentive now, uncle."

Morny gave him a quick nod, and turned then to grasp Uncle Paul's hand,
while the brig and the schooner went sailing on westward ho!

CHAPTER FIFTY.

THE DOCTOR WILL NOT BELIEVE.

It was about a fortnight later, during which time, in deliciously calm
weather, the two vessels had been cruising here and the