"Why, maybe so; we're not all saints. But I've always kept my word with father, and whenever he gave me the money I wanted, or set me up in life again, I kept the name clean--comparatively clean, that is to say, as far as any one in New York might know. And even this time--at the Barbadoes--'twasn't with any purpose of punishing father, I vow; 'twas for my necessities, I made myself free with a thousand pounds of Culverson's." "The devil! Do you mean you embezzled a thousand pounds?" "One cool, clean thousand! My necessities, I tell you. There was a debt of honour, you must know; a damned unlucky run at the cards, and the navy officer that won came with a brace of pistols and gave me two days in which to pay. And then there was a lady--with a brat, confound her!--to be sent to England, and looked after. You see, 'twas honour moved me in the first case, and chivalry in the second. As a gentleman, I couldn't withstand the promptings of noble sentiments like those." "Well, what then?" "Why, then I came away. And I hadn't the heart to break the truth to father, knowing how 'twould cut him up. I thought of the old gentleman's family pride, his gray hairs--his hair _is_ gray by this time, isn't it?--" "And what is it you wish me to do?" "Why, you see, Culverson hadn't yet found out how things were, when I left. I pretended I was ill--and so I was, in a way. But he must have found out by this time, and when he sends after me, by the next vessel, I'm afraid poor father will have to undergo a severe trial--you know his weakness for the honoured name of Faringfield." "By the Lord, Ned, this is worse than I should ever have thought of you." "It _is_ a bit bad, isn't it? And I've been thinking what's to be done--for father's sake, you know. If 'twere broken to him gently, at once, as nobody but you can break it, why then, he might give me the money to repay Culverson, and send me back to Barbadoes by the next ship, and nothing need ever come out. I'm thoroughly penitent, so help me, heaven, and quite willing to go back." "And incur other debts of honour, and obligations of chivalry," says Phil. "I'll see the cards in hell first, and the women too, by gad!" whereat Mr. Edward brought his fist down upon the table most convincingly.