"Captain Debriseau, will you do me the favour to step on one side with me. I will `be honest,' with you," continued McElvina to the Guernseyman, when they were out of hearing of the boatswain and the rest; "and confess that, although I wish you well, I was not pleased at meeting with you here. You addressed me as Captain McElvina--that title has long been dropped. I did once confide to you the secret of my former life, and will own, what I little imagined at the time, that I have in consequence put it into your power to do me serious injury. You must now listen to me, while I give you a sketch of my memoirs, from the time that we parted at Cherbourg." McElvina then entered into a short history of what the reader is acquainted with.--"Judge, then, Debriseau," pursued he, "if, after what has passed, I could `_honestly_' say that I was glad to see you--who not only, by your presence, reminded me of my former irregularities, but had the means, if you thought proper, of acquainting my friends and acquaintances with what I wish I could forget myself." "Captain--I beg your pardon--Mr McElvina," replied Debriseau with dignity, "I will be as honest as you. I am here without a sou, and without a shirt, and when I leave this, I know not where to lay my hand upon either; but rather than betray a confidence reposed in me, rather than injure one who always was my friend, or, what is still more unworthy, attempt to work upon your fears to my own advantage, I would suffer death, nay, more--_Sacristie_--I would sooner turn custom-house officer. No, no, McElvina--_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.