himself he addressed Bertram with an air
of gaiety:

"Well, my young friend, and how do you like the world in Wales? You
have taken my advice I find, and have come to see Ap Gauvon."

"It was you then that were my guide to Machynleth? I was beginning to
suspect as much. Who it was that sent me the note this morning, I need
not ask: for my eyes assure me that you were the person who presided on
that occasion, both as commander and as chief mourner."

"And I hope you disapproved my behaviour in neither part."

"To do you justice, you behaved incomparably well in both. In the
latter part, however,--well as you acquitted yourself,--you must excuse
me if I doubt your sincerity."

"You surprise me," said Nicholas smiling: "what doubt the sincerity of
my grief for the death of Captain le Harnois?"

"My doubts go even a little further. I doubt whether the body of
Captain le Harnois at all accompanied the procession. But what,
in the name of God then, could bring so large a train of mourners
together?--Will you say upon your word that you have deposited the body
in any burying-place?"

Nicholas laughed immoderately. "Your discernment is wonderful. As to
the body, I can assure you that it has not only been deposited in a
burying-place at Utragan,---but immediately afterwards dispersed as
holy reliques all over the country: and no saint's reliques in
Christendom will meet with more honour and attention. As to what
brought the crowd together,--if you come to that, my young friend, what
brought you thither? I have some plans which make it prudent for me to
renew an old connexion with a body of stout friends at sea and on
shore. Most of the others, I suppose, came for liquor. And you, if I do
not affront you by that suggestion, were naturally desirous of seeing
how the land lay before you commenced operations. For the oldest fox is
at fault in a strange country."

"You still persist, I see, in looking upon me as an adventurer: is it
your opinion that every body else would pass the same harsh judgment on
me?"

"Ay, if not a harsher: but do you know, Mr. Bertram, that at first
sight, I knew your profession by your face, and what your destiny is in
this life."

"And which of my unhappy features is it that bears this unpleasant
witness against me?"

"Unhappy you may truly call them," said the other, smiling
bitterly--"unhappy indeed; for they are the same as my own. I rest a little
upon omens and prefigurations; and am su