e. If they thought me at the bottom of the
North Sea, I need not fear much vigilance on the streets of Edinburgh.
Champdivers was wanted: what was to connect him with St. Ives? Major
Chevenix would recognise me if he met me; that was beyond bargaining: he
had seen me so often, his interest had been kindled to so high a point,
that I could hope to deceive him by no stratagem of disguise. Well, even
so; he would have a competition of testimony before him: he knew
Clausel, he knew me, and I was sure he would decide for honour. At the
same time, the image of Flora shot up in my mind's-eye with such a
radiancy as fairly overwhelmed all other considerations; the blood
sprang to every corner of my body, and I vowed I would see and win her,
if it cost my neck.

"Very annoying, no doubt," said I, as I returned the paper to Mr.
Romaine.

"Is annoying your word for it?" said he.

"Exasperating, if you like," I admitted.

"And true?" he inquired.

"Well, true in a sense," said I. "But perhaps I had better answer that
question by putting you in possession of the facts?"

"I think so, indeed," said he.

I narrated to him as much as seemed necessary of the quarrel, the duel,
the death of Goguelat, and the character of Clausel. He heard me through
in a forbidding silence, nor did he at all betray the nature of his
sentiments, except that, at the episode of the scissors, I could
observe his mulberry face to turn three shades paler.

"I suppose I may believe you?" said he, when I had done.

"Or else conclude this interview," said I.

"Can you not understand that we are here discussing matters of the
gravest import? Can you not understand that I feel myself weighted with
a load of responsibility on your account--that you should take this
occasion to air your fire-eating manners against your own attorney?
There are serious hours in life, Mr. Anne," he said severely. "A capital
charge, and that of a very brutal character and with singularly
unpleasant details; the presence of the man Clausel, who (according to
your account of it) is actuated by sentiments of real malignity, and
prepared to swear black white; all the other witnesses scattered and
perhaps drowned at sea; the natural prejudice against a Frenchman and a
runaway prisoner: this makes a serious total for your lawyer to
consider, and is by no means lessened by the incurable folly and levity
of your own disposition."

"I beg your pardon!" said I.

"O, my expressions