n which way I can serve you. It is not only my
pleasure, but my duty so to do; I have not forgotten, and never will
forget, that you in all probability saved my life by your
self-devotion in the affair of the Jacobites. When you first came to
me, you were recommended as a good accountant, and, to a certain
degree, a man of business; and, at all events, you proved yourself
well acquainted and apt at figures. Do you think that a situation on
shore would suit you?"

"I should endeavour to give satisfaction, Sir," I replied; "but I fear
that I should have much to learn."

"Of course you would; but I reply that you would soon learn. Now,
Elrington, what I have to say to you is this: I am getting old, and in
a few years shall be past work; and I think I should like you as an
assistant for the present, and a successor hereafter. If you would
like to join me, you shall superintend the more active portion of the
business; and I have no doubt but that in a year or two you will be
master of the whole. As you know, I have privateers and I have
merchant vessels, and I keep my storehouses. I have done well up to
the present; not so well, perhaps, now, as I did when I had
slave-vessels, which were most profitable; but my deceased wife
persuaded me to give up that traffic, and I have not resumed it, in
honour of her memory. These foolish women should never interfere in
such matters; but let that pass. What I have to say is, that if you
choose after a year to join me as a partner, I will give you an eighth
of the business, and as we continue I will make over a further share
in proportion to the profits; and I will make such arrangements as to
enable you at my death to take the whole concern upon favourable
terms."

Mr. Trevannion knocked the ashes out of his pipe, and, as he
concluded,--

"I am," I replied, "as you may imagine, Sir, much gratified and
honoured at your proposal, which I hardly need say that I willingly
accept. I only hope you will make allowance for my ignorance at first
setting off, and not ascribe to any other cause my imperfections. You
may assure yourself that good-will shall never be wanting on my part,
and I shall work day and night, if required, to prove my gratitude for
so kind an offer."

"Then, it is settled," said Mr. Trevannion; "but what are we to do
with your brother Philip?"

"He thinks for himself, Sir, and does not agree with me on the
question in point. Of course, I have no right to insist that