"Come, we are relations, though you bear the name of Everard by courtesy," said Mr. Sleech, putting out his hand; "I don't want to quarrel about the matter; your ill-luck is my good fortune; that's the view of the case I take." Captain Everard drew back his hand. "No, sir, no. I cannot impute wrong motives to you; but, at the same time, I cannot pretend friendship to a person who, without apology, casts a stigma on the names of my father and mother." "_As_ you please, as you please," said Mr. Sleech, in an apparently indifferent tone; "I wish to do you good, but I cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. If you won't receive my kindness, that's your look-out, and not mine." Captain Everard had always felt an especial dislike to his aunt's husband; it now, very naturally, increased considerably. Still he spoke calmly. "I must bid you good-day, sir," he said. "For my daughter's sake and my own, you must expect that I will use every means to regain the property which I believe to be rightfully mine." "And I will do my best to keep what I have got, and I rather think I shall succeed," answered the attorney, as the captain left the room without deigning to cast another look upon his relative. The door had been left open, and the conversation had been heard by several of the servants and workmen. They were mostly creatures of Mr. Sleech, for he only patronised those he thought likely to serve him in any way he might require. They had collected in the hall as the captain passed through it--some to gaze at him with curiosity, not unmixed perhaps with pity; others holding their hands to their mouths, as if to hide their laughter. "I told you what was true, captain, although you did not believe me," said the man who had admitted him. "I hope you won't be for doubting a gentleman's word again when he speaks the truth." The captain made no answer to the fellow's insolence; but, stepping into the post-chaise, ordered the man to drive instantly to Lynderton. Madam Everard received her nephew with an anxious countenance. "Where is Mabel?" he exclaimed; "has anything, too, happened to her?" "She is alive, and I hope well," answered his aunt. "The poor girl, her feelings have been sorely tried, first by her anxiety about you, and then by the fearful position in which Harry Tryon has been placed." She then told him of the mutiny, and of the way in which Harry had been implicated. "She knows also that he saved your life, and that of course has not tended to decrease her love for him." "Harry Tryon saved my life!" exclaimed the captain. "I have not seen him since I met him at Stanmore, that I am aware of." "But you knew a young seaman called Andrew Brown; did you not recognise Harry Tryon in him?"