. Nixon, answered Darsie, 'that I will canvass
those matters of which my sister has informed me, with my uncle himself,
and with no other person.'

'Nay, but a word of friendly advice would do you no harm, young master,'
replied Nixon. 'Old Redgauntlet is apter at a blow than a word--likely
to bite before he barks--the true man for giving Scarborough warning,
first knock you down, then bid you stand. So, methinks, a little kind
warning as to consequences were not amiss, lest they come upon you
unawares.'

'If the warning is really kind, Mr. Nixon,' said the young man, 'I
will hear it thankfully; and indeed, if otherwise, I must listen to it
whether I will or no, since I have at present no choice of company or of
conversation.'

'Nay, I have but little to say,' said Nixon, affecting to give to his
sullen and dogged manner the appearance of an honest bluntness; 'I am
as little apt to throw away words as any one. But here is the
question--Will you join heart and hand with your uncle, or no?'

'What if I should say Aye?' said Darsie, determined, if possible, to
conceal his resolution from this man.

'Why, then,' said Nixon, somewhat surprised at the readiness of his
answer, 'all will go smooth, of course--you will take share in this
noble undertaking, and, when it succeeds, you will exchange your open
helmet for an earl's coronet perhaps.'

'And how if it fails?' said Darsie.

'Thereafter as it may be,' said Nixon; 'they who play at bowls must meet
with rubbers.'

'Well, but suppose, then, I have some foolish tenderness for my
windpipe, and that when my uncle proposes the adventure to me I should
say No--how then, Mr. Nixon?'

'Why, then, I would have you look to yourself, young master. There are
sharp laws in France against refractory pupils--LETTRES DE CACHET
are easily come by when such men as we are concerned with interest
themselves in the matter.'

'But we are not in France,' said poor Darsie, through whose blood ran a
cold shivering at the idea of a French prison.

'A fast-sailing lugger will soon bring you there though, snug stowed
under hatches, like a cask of moonlight.'

'But the French are at peace with us,' said Darsie, 'and would not
dare'--

'Why, who would ever hear of you?' interrupted Nixon; 'do you imagine
that a foreign court would call you up for judgement, and put the
sentence of imprisonment in the COURRIER DE L'EUROPE, as they do at the
Old Bailey? No, no, young gentleman--the gates