"I can't justify anything I have done; but in my letter I ventured to say a few words in extenuation," he continued. "I don't expect to soften my uncle's just resentment, but I am most anxious, Mr. Blount, my best friend on earth, to recover something, were it ever so little, of the ground I have lost in your opinion." "Time, sir, tries all things," answered the new-comer, gently; "if you mean to lead a new life, you will have opportunity to prove it." "Was my uncle softened, ever so little, when he heard that the Conway Castle had gone down?" asked the young man, after a short silence. "I was with him at breakfast when the morning paper brought the intelligence," said Mr. Blount. "I don't recollect that he expressed any regret." "I dare say; I can quite suppose it; I ought to have known that he was pleased rather." "No; I don't think he was pleased. I rather think he exhibited indifference," answered Mr. Blount. With some grim remarks I believe the young man's uncle had received the sudden news of his death. "Did my uncle see the letter I wrote to you, Mr. Blount?" "No." "And why not?" "You will not think, I hope, that I would for any consideration use a phrase that could wound you unnecessarily when I tell you?" "Certainly not." "Your letter mentioned that you had lost your papers and money in the ship. Now, if it should turn out that you had, in short, misstated anything----" "Told a lie, you mean," interrupted the young man, his face growing white, and his eyes gleaming. "It would have been discourteous in me to say so, but such was my meaning," he answered, with a very kind look. "It has been one object with me during my life to reconcile courtesy with truth. I am happy in the belief that I have done so, and I believe during a long life I have never once offended against the laws of politeness. Had you deceived him so soon again it would have sunk you finally and for ever. I thought it advisable, therefore, to give you an opportunity of reconsidering the statements of your letter before committing you by placing them before him as fact." The young man flushed suddenly. It was his misfortune that he could not resent suspicion, however gross, although he might wince under the insult, all the more that it was just. Rather sulkily he said: "I can only repeat, sir, that I have not a shilling, nor a cheque; I left every paper and every farthing I possessed in my despatch-box, in my berth. Of course, I can't prove it; I can only repeat that every guinea I had in the world has gone to the bottom." Mr. Blount raised his head. His square face and massive features confronted the younger man, and his honest brown eyes were fixed upon him with a grave and undisguised inquiry.