“I never thought of such an impertinence, Commodore. When I said impossible, it was entirely with respect to the construction that could be placed on all my intercourse with Miss Graham.” “And did n't I go up to your room on the morning I left, and ask you to come over to Port-Graham and talk the matter over with me?” “You invited me to your house, but I had not the faintest notion that it was to this end. Don't shake your head as if you doubted me; I pledge you my word on it.” “How often have you done this sort of thing? for no fellow is as cool as you are that's not an old hand at it.” “I can forgive a good deal--” “Forgive! I should think you could forgive the people you've injured. The question is, can I forgive? Yes, sir, can I forgive?” “I declare it never occurred to me to inquire.” “That's enough,--quite enough; you shall hear from me. It may take me twenty-four hours to find a friend; but before this time to-morrow evening, sir, I 'll have him.” Maitland shrugged his shoulders carelessly, and said, “As you please, sir.” “It shall be as I please, sir; I 'll take care of that. Are you able to say at present to whom my friend can address himself?” “If your friend will first do the favor to call upon me, I 'll be able by that time to inform him.” “All right. If it's to be Mark Lyle--” “Certainly not; it could never occur to me to make choice of your friend and neighbor's son for such an office.” “Well, I thought not,--I hoped not; and I suspected, besides, that the little fellow with the red whiskers--that major who dined one day at the Abbey--” Maitland's pale cheek grew scarlet, his eyes flashed with passion, and all the consummate calm of his manner gave way as he said, “With the choice of my friend, sir, you have nothing to do, and I decline to confer further with you.” “Eh, eh! that shell broke in the magazine, did it? I thought it would. I 'll be shot but I thought it would!” And with a hearty laugh, but bitter withal, the old Commodore seized his hat and departed. Maitland was much tempted to hasten after the Commodore, and demand--imperiously demand--from him an explanation of his last words, whose taunt was even more in the manner than the matter. Was it a mere chance hit, or did the old sailor really know something about the relations between himself and M'Caskey? A second or two of thought reassured him, and he laughed at his own fears, and turned once more to the table to finish his letter to his friend.