12 THE SHIPWRECK,

«That Philip is a consummate rogue,” rejoined Robert ;
“but before long he will find out whom he has to deal
with; the count will not forget him, 1 can tell you; no
one ever yet insulted him without receiving twenty fold in
return.”

“ The first time they meet,” said the other groom, “ Pll
warrant they ’ll have it out: the count is so.used at sea to
domineer over men twice as old as himself, that he is be-
come the most imperious master I ever lived with. I
wonder that any body can put up with his whims and
notions. If my young master, his elder brother, was half
as ready with his hand or as cruel with his tongue, he
would n’t have me long to practise on; but it is some com-
fort that he is soon to be off again.”

The grumbling groom condescended, at last, to remem-
ber that the poor horse was yet fasting, and he led him
ill-humouredly to his manger. The fact is, Count D’Eis-
taing had surprised Philip Merville. strolling through the
park, as he was in the habit of doing, and had undertaken
to drive him out of it by dint of sheer bodily strength ; but
the result was rather humbling to his self conceit. The
count, though young and courageous, was tumbled from
his horse by the slurdy peasant, and in falling, bruised
and mangled his face severely. Nor did Philip achieve