e rested."

"I wish it was over," said Jack, with a sigh.

"Wish what was over?"

"I mean I wish the shock was over,--the shock of seeing me such an
object as I am. Sickness changes a man quite enough, but there's worse
than that, George. I know what this rough life of mine must have made of
me. You won't say it, old fellow, but I see it in your sad face all
the same. I am--say it out, man--I am a most disreputable-looking
blackguard!"

"I declare, on my honor, that, except the ravages of illness, I see no
change in you, whatever."

"Look here," said Jack, as his voice trembled with a peculiar agitation,
"I 'll see Nelly first. A man's sister can never be ashamed of him,
come what will. If Nelly shows--and she 's not one to hide it--that--no
matter, I 'll not say more about it. I see you 're not pleased with me
laying stress on such a matter."

"No, no, you wrong me, Jack; you wrong me altogether. My poor fellow, we
never were--we never had such good reason to be proud of you as now. You
are a hero, Jack. You've done what all Europe will ring with."

"Don't talk balderdash; my head is weak enough already. If you 're not
ashamed of the tatterdemalion that comes back to you, it's more than I
deserve. There, now, go off, and do your business, and don't be long,
for I 'm growing very impatient to see them. Give me something to smoke
till you come back, and I 'll try and be calm and reasonable by that
time."

If L'Estrange had really anything to do in the town he forgot all about
it, and trotted about from street to street, so full of Jack and his
adventures that he walked into apple-stalls and kicked over egg-baskets
amid the laughter and amusement of the people.

If he had told no more than the truth in saying that Jack was still like
what he had been, there were about him signs of suffering and hardship
that gave a most painful significance to his look; and more painful than
even these was the poor fellow's consciousness of his fallen condition.
The sudden pauses in speaking, the deep sigh that would escape him, the
almost bitter raillery he used when speaking of himself, all showed how
acutely he felt his altered state.

L'Estrange was in nowise prepared for the change half an hour had made
in Jack's humor. The handsome dress of Montenegro became him admirably,
and the sailor-like freedom of his movements went well with the easy
costume. "Isn't this a most appropriate transformation, George?" he
cried out "I