To say the truth, the captain was disappointed.

He would have hesitated about making his proposition to an officer of the regular French marine, low as even these stood, at that day, in the estimation of Nelson's fleet in particular; but from a privateersman he expected a greedy acquiescence in a plan that offered life as a reward, in exchange for a treachery like that he proposed.

At first he felt disposed to taunt Raoul with the contradiction between what he, Cuffe, conceived to be his general pursuits, and his present assumption of principles; but the unpretending calmness of the other's manner, and the truth of his feelings, prevented it.

Then, to do Cuffe himself justice, he was too generous to abuse the power be had over his prisoner.
"You may do well to think of this, Monsieur Yvard," observed the captain, after a pause of quite a minute.

"The interest at stake is so heavy, that reflection may yet induce you to change your mind." "Monsieur Cuffe, I pardon you, if you can pardon yourself," answered Raoul, with severe dignity in his manner, rising as he spoke, as if disdaining civilities which came from his tempter.