OR THE DESERT ISLAND. 123

health, and was soon able, with the support of Merville’s
arm, to make a short morning’s walk round the cabin.
Yet Philip, even when the count had comparatively reco-
vered from his long illness, continued to wait on him and
supply his every wish as tenderly as if he were his
brother.

One morning Philip rose earlier than usual. Returning
from the shore with some fragments of the wreck, he was
not a little surprised to see the count not only up and
dressed, but even employed in preparing breakfast. He
threw down his load, and running to him, cried out,
“How, my lord, can you stoop to an occupation so unsuit-
able to your rank Y”

“My dear Merville,” answered Charles, placing his
hand over the-sailor’s mouth, ‘speak no more of my rank;
don’t you remember that we are equal here 2”

“ Alas! my lord,” rejoined Philip, “I see plainly that
you have not entirely pardoned me, or you would not re-
mind me of my past impertinence.”

* Tmpertinence, indeed ! it is the truth—though perhaps
the remark was ill-timed,” said the count smiling. “ Mean-
while, Merville, without any design of hurting your feel-
ings, or alluding to the past, which I should be a monster
of ingratitude to be capable of, I must tell you that I can-