OR THE DESERT ISLAND. 79

CHAPTER X.

Return to the Cavern — Remorse — Bodies of the Wrecked.

Tue high minded count could not endure the idea of
remaining within sight of his enemy: his dismal cavern,
the heat and sterility of the island, seemed preferable to the
delicious grotto that now sheltered him, infested as it was
by the presence of his bitterest enemy.

Charles was sensible that he could never bend his haughty
temper to that degree of moderation and civility which
Philip required ; he moreover feared that so sudden a refor-
mation would be considered as the offspring of fear. On
the other hand, he knew that if he should continue to com-
port himself as imperiously as in times past, so as to pro-
voke his enemy to combat, he would infallibly be the
sufferer. The heat of the climate had so weakened his
constitution, that for him to think of attacking such an
adversary as young Merville, or even of repelling his ag-

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