--"

"There's no 'but;' the thing is clear and plain enough. This place
would n't suit, Marion or Temple; but they'll not try it. Take my word
for it, of all our fine acquaintances, not one will ever come down here
to see how we bear our reduced lot in life. We 'll start fresh in the
race, and we 'll talk of long ago and our grand times without a touch of
repining."

"I'm quite ready to try it, Jack."

"That's well said," said he, grasping his hand, and pressing it
affectionately. "And you'll say 'No' to this offer? I knew you would.
Not but the Frenchman is a fine fellow, Gusty. I did n't believe it was
in his nation to behave as nobly; for, mark you, I have no doubts, no
misgivings about his motives. I 'd say all was honest and above board in
his offer."

"I join you in that opinion, Jack; and one of these days I hope to tell
him so."

"That's the way to fight the battle of life," cried the sailor,
enthusiastically. "Stand by your guns manfully, and, if you 're beaten,
haul down your flag in all honor to the fellow who has been able to
thrash you. The more you respect _him_, the higher you esteem yourself.
Get rid of that old lawyer as soon as you can, Gusty; he's not a
pleasant fellow, and we all want Cutty back again."

"Sedley will only be too glad to escape; he's not in love with our
barbarism."

"I'm to breakfast with Cutty this morning. I was nigh forgetting it. I
hope I may tell him that his term of banishment is nearly over."

"I imagine Sedley will not remain beyond to-morrow."

"That will be grand news for Cutty, for he can't bear solitude. He says
himself he 'd rather be in the Marshalsea with plenty of companions,
than be a king and have no associates. By the way, am I at liberty to
tell him about this offer of Pracontal's? He knows the whole history,
and the man too."

"Tell him if you like. The Frenchman is a favorite with him, and this
will be another reason for thinking well of him."

"That's the way to live, Gusty. Keep the ship's company in good humor,
and the voyage will be all the happier."

After a few words they parted, Augustus to prepare a formal reply to
his lawyer, and Jack to keep his engagement with Cutbill. Though it was
something of a long walk, Jack never felt it so; his mind was full of
pleasant thoughts of the future. To feel that Julia loved him, and to
know that a life of personal effort and enterprise was before him, were
thoughts of overwhelming delight. He was now