Whereupon, without another word, the third officer left them to their pursuits. When the game had come to a conclusion, Pemberton signified his intention to turn in, and bidding them good-night, went to his cabin. Bob Perry, who was half-seas over, also retired, and the two belligerents were alone together. It was for this that Farrell had taken a hand at the game. It was to this end he had worked to find himself cheek-by-jowl with the man he hated more deadlily than he had ever done before. He thirsted to put a spoke in Harland’s wheel,--to alarm him thoroughly,--to show a little of his own hand, but not too much, and make him uncomfortable for the remainder of the voyage. ‘Drink up and have some more,’ said Harland, breaking the silence that ensued on the departure of their companions. ‘I don’t care for any. I have had enough,’ replied Farrell, lying back in his chair. ‘Well, our journey will soon be over now. What do you intend to do when we reach Lyttleton?’ ‘I don’t know, I’m sure,’ returned Harland. ‘I shall enjoy myself as long as I find anything worth enjoying, and then, perhaps, take a trip over to America, and visit some of my friends there.’ ‘But I thought you had taken service under Mr Vansittart, and were bound to remain with him?’ said Farrell. Godfrey Harland opened his eyes with astonishment. ‘Then you are under a great delusion. I have certainly promised to be the guest of the Vansittarts for a short time, and circumstances may arise to detain me longer, but there is no obligation in the matter, unless it be on _my_ side.’ ‘Oh! indeed. People say otherwise on board. I have heard it stated confidently that you are Mr Vansittart’s land-agent, and that he has been imprudent enough to take you without references.’ ‘D--n their impertinence!’ growled Harland, ‘prying into other people’s affairs. I should like to know the name of the person who has been spreading these false reports about me.’ ‘_I_ shall not tell you,’ retorted Farrell. ‘It is quite immaterial to me whether you keep Mr Vansittart, or Mr Vansittart keeps you, but I should think the latter by far the most probable of the two. And is it true that you intend to marry his daughter?’ ‘It is no business of yours if I do.’ ‘Certainly not. It’s no business of mine if you turn Mormon, which, I suppose, is the next thing you’ll think of.’ ‘What do you mean by making that remark?’ said Harland, turning pale. ‘Only that English laws are in force in the colonies, and a man is only allowed to have one wife at a time.’ ‘What would you insinuate, you scoundrel?’ demanded Harland, beginning to feel alarmed. ‘Softly--softly,’ said Will Farrell, ‘don’t raise your voice. Some one might overhear you. I never insinuate, as I think I informed you at our last meeting; I always speak my mind, and if you wish me to do so now, I will. I will go further, and take our fellow-passengers into my confidence, if you desire to become notorious amongst them.’