“Qui, Monsieur” he added, “England is powerful to resent, but ready to forgive.  Your are very fortunate in having it in your power, at so serious a moment, to secure her pardon for an offence that is always visited in war with a punishment graver than any other.”

“In what way can this be done, Monsieur le Capitaine?  I am not one who despises life; more especially when it is in danger of being lost by a disgraceful death.”

“I am rejoiced, Monsieur Yvard, to find you in this frame of mind; it will relieve me from the discharge of a most painful duty, and be the means of smoothing over many difficulties.  Without doubt, you have heard of the character of our celebrated Admiral Nelson?”

“His name is known to every seaman, Monsieur,” answered Raoul, stiffly; his natural antipathies being far from cured by the extremity of his situation.  “He has written it on the waters of the Nile, in letters of blood!”

“Aye, his deeds there, or elsewhere, will not soon be forgotten.  He is a man of an iron will; when his heart is set on a thing, he sticks at no risk to obtain it, especially if the means be lawful, and the end is glory.  To be frank, Monsieur, he wishes much for your lugger, the le Few Folly.”

“Ah!” exclaimed Raoul, smiling ironically—­“Nelson is not the only English admiral who has had the same desire.  Le Feu-Follet, Monsieur le Capitaine, is so charming, that she has many admirers!”

“Among whom Nelson is one of the warmest.  Now, this makes your case so much the easier to be disposed of.  You have nothing to do but put the lugger into our hands, when you will be pardoned, and be treated as a prisoner of war.”

“Does Monsieur Nelson authorize you to make this proposal to me?” asked Raoul gravely.

“He does.  Intrusted with the care of his country’s interests he is willing to overlook the offence against her, under the law of nations, to deprive the enemy of doing so much harm.  Put the lugger into our hands, and you shall be sent to an ordinary prison-ship.  Nay, merely let us into the secret of her position, and we will see to her capture.”

“Monsieur Nelson doubtless does no more than his duty,” answered Raoul, quietly, but with an air of severe self-respect.  “It is his business to have a care for English commerce, and he has every right to make this bargain.  But the treaty will not be conducted on equal terms; while he is doing no more than his duty, I have no powers.”

“How?  You have the power of speech; that will suffice to let us into the secret of the orders you have given the lugger, and where she is probably to be found at this moment.”

“Non, Monsieur; I have not even that in my power.  I can do nothing that must cover me with so much infamy.  My tongue is under laws that I never made, when treachery is in question.”