’Mirelle,’ replied the Captain, ’I also have been desirous of seeing you in private, as I also have something to say to you which is not for Orange’s ears.’ The first impression on Herring’s mind on hearing these words was surprise at Mirelle’s indiscretion in arranging a private interview with the Captain. Not a shadow of suspicion of other motives than what were honourable crossed him. It had never occurred to him that Trecarrel was the man Mirelle loved. Had he known this, nevertheless not a thought of anything unworthy of her would have entered his mind. He saw that she had acted in ignorance of conventional proprieties. His first impulse was to step forward and show himself. On second thoughts he refrained from doing so. He refrained for Mirelle’s own sake. If he were suddenly to emerge from behind the curtain it would bring home to her at once the impropriety of her conduct, embarrass and distress her, and place both her and the Captain in a very awkward position. The interview was about Orange, and there could be no reason why he should not overhear it, and indeed take part in it, unless it were, as he supposed, concerning the Captain’s engagement to Orange. If that were so it would be kindest to allow Mirelle to have her few words about it with Trecarrel, and he—John Herring—would tell her immediately after that he had overheard the conversation. ’Je vous donne le pas, Monsieur le Capitaine.’ ’Je le prends de bon gré, madame,’ replied Trecarrel. ’But as I think in English and not in French, perhaps you will allow me to say what I want in my native tongue.’ ’Certainly.’ ’In the first place, then, let me speak about my book on the Cornish Coast scenery. I think it advisable that you should possess early copies—proofs before the plates are worn. I think you offered to take three copies at five guineas.’ ’I believe I did. Have you secured a publisher?’ ’No, not yet, but that is a matter of secondary importance. A publisher can always be secured for drawings such as mine, of scenery that has such historic interest—King Arthur, Uther Pendragon, Gwenever, and so on.’ ’No doubt.’ ’If not inconvenient to you, would you mind letting me have your subscription at once? I want, you understand, to secure you unrubbed copies.’ ’You shall have the money to-morrow.’ ’You quite see that I am pressing this entirely in your own interest. There is a material difference between early copies and late impressions, and first subscribers who have paid up will, as a matter of strict justice, be given the best and sharpest copies.’ ’Quite so.’ ’There was another matter on which I wished to speak to you. A man was saved from the wreck of the "Susanna" in the winter. That man gave out his name as George Bidgood. You, I understand, gave him shelter. You are aware who he is?’ ’I saw him brought ashore.’