160 THE SHIPWRECE,

ble as yourself ; but I must confess that, after what has
happened, I fear I cannot remain in the service on board
the Achilles.”

“¥ou have nobody to blame but yourself, my young
friend,” said Lieutenant Saint Ague, who had returned
with the count and listened with attention to Philip’s
complaint.

The latter looked at him quite amazed, as Saint Ague
thus continued, with a friendly frankness at which Philip
could not take offence :

“You perhaps forget, but they have better memories ;
they remember that at the time when you chose to enact
the mutineer, among your other faults, you had a most
insulting tongue. There is hardly one among them that
escaped the lash of your sarcasms, while they were exer-
cising the legitimate authority belonging to their several
ranks. They think that it is well tomake you notice how
much they disapprove of your former conduct in this ship,
and that they hold him who knows not how to obey as
unfit to command.”

More than once did the truth of Saint Ague’s obser-
vations crimson Philip’s cheek with the acknowledgement
of his shame; but the count, irritated at the bebaviour of
the officers, cried out with his usual impetuosity, “ Non-