evannion's conduct, and I cannot think but there is something
else at the bottom of all this. You haven't been making love to his
daughter, or, what would amount to the same thing, she has not been
making advances to you?"

"I have not dared the first, Levee, and you do not know her, to
suppose her capable of the latter."

"Well, if she had done so, there would have been no harm done,"
replied he; "but I will say no more as you look so grave. Philip and I
will now call upon Mr. Trevannion, and while I engage the old
gentleman, Philip shall run alongside of the young maiden, and between
the two we shall get our bearings and distance, and know how the land
lies--and I will tell you more, Elrington, although I have no
objection to be captain of a privateer, I certainly consider the
command of a king's ship more reputable; and if I could manage to get
the Arrow hired into the king's service (I still remaining in command
of her), I should prefer it being so. At all events, I'll side with
you, and that will drive the old gentleman on a dead lee-shore. Come
along, Philip--we shall be with you in two hours, Elrington." With
these words Captain Levee left the room, followed by my brother.

It was nearly three hours before they returned, and then I received
the following narratives: Captain Levee, as he sat down, said, "Now,
Philip, we'll hear your account first."

"Well, mine is soon told," replied Philip; "I had made up my mind how
to act, and did not tell Captain Levee what I intended to do. When Mr.
Trevannion met us in the room behind the counting-house, he appeared
very much flurried: he shook hands with Captain Levee, and offered me
his hand, which I refused, saying, 'Mr. Trevannion, I have just seen
my brother, and I hardly need say that nothing will induce me to
remain in your employ. I will, therefore, thank you for my wages at
your convenience.'

"'Hey-day, young man,' cried he, 'you give yourself strange airs.
Well, Sir, you shall have your discharge; I can do without such
snip-jacks as you are.'

"'Snip-jacks! Mr. Trevannion,' replied I; 'if I must say it, we are
better born and better bred than you or any of your connections, and
you were honoured by our service.'"

"You said that, Philip?--then you were wrong."

"I told the truth."

"Still, you should not have said it; we took his service, and
therefore--"

"We are not snip-jacks," interrupted Philip, "and his calling names
brought on the reply."

"