eau joined the English party in the rear of the
cavalcade, and remained with them at the town, while McElvina and the
rest of the cortege continued their route to the castle, with the
wounded Seymour.

As soon as our hero's wound had been dressed, and the favourable opinion
of the surgeon had been pronounced, McElvina rode down to the town, to
make arrangements for the board and lodging of the English seamen. It
was then that he was asked by Mr Hardsett, what was to be done with the
Frenchman who had been saved.

"Where is he?" demanded McElvina.

Debriseau was summoned to the magistrate, and having cleaned himself of
the dust and gore, was immediately recognised.

"Debriseau!" exclaimed McElvina, with astonishment, and a look of
displeasure.

"Even so, Captain McElvina," replied Debriseau haughtily; "you do not
seem very well pleased at meeting an old acquaintance."

"Captain Debriseau, will you do me the favour to step on one side with
me. I will `be honest,' with you," continued McElvina to the
Guernseyman, when they were out of hearing of the boatswain and the
rest; "and confess that, although I wish you well, I was not pleased at
meeting with you here. You addressed me as Captain McElvina--that title
has long been dropped. I did once confide to you the secret of my
former life, and will own, what I little imagined at the time, that I
have in consequence put it into your power to do me serious injury. You
must now listen to me, while I give you a sketch of my memoirs, from the
time that we parted at Cherbourg."

McElvina then entered into a short history of what the reader is
acquainted with.--"Judge, then, Debriseau," pursued he, "if, after what
has passed, I could `_honestly_' say that I was glad to see you--who not
only, by your presence, reminded me of my former irregularities, but had
the means, if you thought proper, of acquainting my friends and
acquaintances with what I wish I could forget myself."

"Captain--I beg your pardon--Mr McElvina," replied Debriseau with
dignity, "I will be as honest as you. I am here without a sou, and
without a shirt, and when I leave this, I know not where to lay my hand
upon either; but rather than betray a confidence reposed in me, rather
than injure one who always was my friend, or, what is still more
unworthy, attempt to work upon your fears to my own advantage, I would
suffer death, nay, more--_Sacristie_--I would sooner turn custom-house
officer. No, no, M