cElvina--_je suis Francais, moi_--bah, I mean I am a
true Englishman. Never mind what I am--all countries are alike, if a
man's heart is in the right place. I sincerely wish you joy of your
good fortune, and know nobody that in my opinion deserves it more. I
shall go to prison with some resignation, now that I know you have been
so fortunate; and do me not the injustice to imagine that you will ever
be troubled by either seeing or hearing from me."

"I waited for this answer, Debriseau: had you made any other, I would
have run the risk and defied you; nothing would have induced me to have
offered to bribe your silence. But I rejoice in your honest and manly
conduct--`Honesty is the best policy,' Debriseau. I can now offer, and
you can accept, without blushing on either side, that assistance which I
have both the power and will to grant. There is no occasion for your
going to prison. I make the returns as magistrate, and, as you are an
English subject, will be answerable for the omission. We are too far
from the world here to have any questions asked. And now let me know
how I can be of any service to you, for my purse and interest you may
command."

"Well, then, to tell you the truth, I am fit for nothing on shore. I
must have another vessel, if I can get one."

"Not a smuggling vessel, I hope," replied McElvina, gravely.

"I should prefer it certainly. Why, there's no harm in smuggling, if I
recollect your arguments right," replied Debriseau, smiling. "Do you
remember the night that you convinced me?"

"I do, very well," said McElvina; "but I have reconsidered the subject,
and I have one little remark to make, which will upset the whole theory,
which is, that other people acting wrong cannot be urged as an excuse
for our own conduct. If it were, the world would soon be left without
virtue or honesty. You may think me scrupulous; but I am sincere.
Cannot you hit upon something else?"

"Why, I should have no objection to command a fine merchant vessel, if I
could obtain such a thing."

"That you shall," replied McElvina; "and to make sure of it, and render
you more independent, you shall be part owner. Consider it as _une
affaire arrangee_. And now allow me to offer you the means of improving
your personal appearance--I presume the leathern bag is empty?"

"Bah! a long while ago. After I had lost my vessel, I made up to
Mademoiselle Picardon; I thought it would not be a bad speculation--but
she