But now the Major and I, leaving him, went out again into the street, into the rain and the furious wind, to beat up against it for our hotel.

Neither spoke a word till we came to a corner in George Street, nearest the wharf: and there the Major turned back upon me suddenly and I thought he had been unable to face the terrible gust which came sweeping up from the harbour: but it was not so.

He had turned on purpose, and putting his hands upon my shoulders, he said,-- "Hamlyn, Hamlyn, you have taught me a lesson." "I suppose so," I said.

"I have shown you what a fool a tender-hearted soft-headed fellow may make of himself by yielding to his impulses.

But I have a defence to offer, my dear sir, the best of excuses, the only real excuse existing in this world.