his temper at this, and cursed the other for a
thin-skinned numbskull.

"Either we sail or we don't," he concluded by saying, "and either we
sail with a commission or without it. I am ready here to alter the
date with my own hand--it is but turning a IV into a VI--to give us
two years more, and you need know nothing of the matter."

The captain came into this with surprising readiness thinking, no
doubt, that he had sufficiently guarded his own neck in the business.
Then for the first time they perceived me; and Sims was for making me
take an oath on the gospels not to betray what I had heard. But Rupert
rebuked him sharply, bidding him to know that no Ford had ever
committed treachery or dishonour within the memory of man, any more,
he was good enough to say, than the Gurneys themselves.

And this testimony of his so soothed me that I allowed my conscience
to slumber in the matter of the forged commission. Yet it was plain
enough to me by this time that my cousin was a desperate scoundrel,
and that the company I had enlisted among were little better than a
gang of pirates, if better they could be called.

I daresay it was not to be expected that I should associate for long
with such men without falling into their ways. But what prevailed most
to change me from my former character, and wrought on me for evil was,
I verily believe, the frenzy of the passion which possessed me for
Marian.

By this time I had gathered courage to let her know how she stood in
my regard, and with the worst result for me that could have happened.
For she would listen well-pleased to all the desperate love I poured
into her ear, and then the next day I would find her closeted with my
cousin Rupert, who was become her bold and notorious wooer, or else
with one of the flash young gentlemen of the town, who frequented the
tavern for no other purpose but to make love to her, and brought her
presents of rings and lockets and suchlike matters, which she never
scrupled to accept. And when I upbraided her for this wantonness, she
gave me cruel words.

"I would have you to know that I am not your mistress, pert young sir,
any more than I am your cousin's! And I suppose I am free to do as I
please, without your leave first had! If it likes me to entertain the
society of other young gentlemen, be sure I shall do so; and as for
the trinkets you are pleased to be jealous of, it will be time enough
to cast them in my teeth when you have better to be