do nothing, if they would admit me in every other; but that
they will not do. I am in an unfortunate position."

"And will be until your feelings become blunted as mine have been,"
replied Atkinson. "Had you acquiesced in my proposal, you would have done
better. As it is, I can be of no use to you; nay, without intending an
affront, I do not know if we ought to be seen together, for your decision
not to _fight_ your way is rather awkward, as I cannot back one with
my _support_ who will not do credit to it. Do not be angry at what I say;
you are your own master, and have a right to decide for yourself,--if
you think yourself not so wholly lost as to be able eventually to recover
yourself by other means, I do not blame you, as I know it is only from
an error in judgment, and not from want of courage."

"At present I am, I acknowledge, lost, Captain Atkinson; but if I succeed
in _finding my father_--"

"Good morning, Newland, good morning," replied he, hastily. "I see how it
is; of course we shall be civil to each other when we meet, for I wish
you well, but we must not be seen together, or you may injure my
character."

"Injure _your_ character, Captain Atkinson?"

"Yes, Mr Newland, injure my character. I do not mean to say but that
there are characters more respectable, but I have _a_ character which
suits me, and it has the merit of consistency. As you are not prepared,
as the Americans say, _to go the whole hog_, we will part good friends,
and if I have said anything to annoy you, I beg your pardon."

"Good-bye, then, Captain Atkinson; for the kindness you have shown me I
am grateful." He shook my hand, and walked out of the room. "And for
having thus broken up our acquaintance, more grateful still," thought I,
as he went down stairs.

Chapter LV

I cut my new acquaintance, but his company, even in so short a
time, proves my ruin--notwithstanding I part with all my
property, I retain my honesty.

In the meantime, the particulars of the duel had found their way into the
papers, with various comments, but none of them very flattering to me,
and I received a note from Mr Masterton, who, deceived by the
representations of that class of people who cater for newspapers, and who
are but too glad to pull, if they possibly can, every one to their own
level, strongly animadverted upon my conduct, and pointed out the folly
of it; adding, that Lord Windermear wholly coincided with him in opinion,