, in raising your own scruples and talking of
your own conscience, you have implied that I am acting contrary to what
conscience should dictate. In short, you have told me, by implication,
that I am not an honest man. You have thrown back in my face my liberal
offer. My wish to oblige you has been treated not only with
indifference, but I may add with contumely;--and that merely because you
have formed some absurd notions of right and wrong in which you will
find no one to agree with you, except, perhaps, priests and women. I
wish you well, Mr Elrington, nevertheless. I am truly sorry for your
infatuation, and wished to have served you, but you will not be assisted
by me."

Here Mr Trevannion paused, but I made no reply. After a time, wiping
the perspiration from his forehead with his handkerchief, for he
evidently was in a state of great excitement, he continued:

"As you do not choose to join me from conscientious scruples, I cannot
but imagine that you do not like to serve me from similar motives, for I
see little difference between the two (and here, Madam, there was some
force in his observation, but it never occurred to me before); at all
events, without weighing your scruples so exactly as to know how far
they may or may not extend, I feel that we are not likely to get on
pleasantly together. I shall always think that I am reproached by you
when anything is said connected with the privateers, and you may have
twinges of conscience which may be disagreeable to you. Let us,
therefore, part quietly. For your services up to the present, and to
assist you in any other engagements you may enter on, take this--"

Mr Trevannion opened a lower drawer of the table, and put before me a
bag containing, as I afterwards discovered, 250 gold jacobuses.

"I wish you well, Mr Elrington, but I sincerely wish that we had never
met."

Mr Trevannion then rose abruptly, and, before I could make my reply,
brushed past me, went out at the door, and again walked away at a rapid
pace down the street. I remained where I stood; my eyes had followed
him as he went away. I was completely surprised. I anticipated much
anger, much altercation; but I never had an idea that he would be so
unjust as to throw off in this way one who for his sake had gone through
a heavy trial and come out with honour. My heart was full of
bitterness. I felt that Mr Trevannion had treated me with harshness
and ingratitude.

"Alas!" thought I, "s