Commodore Junk — page 314: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A FRESH ALARM. 307 “ How long will you keep yourself a prisoner, you should say. It is for you to be master here; for me to be your slave. How can I humble myself—degrade myself—more ?” Humphrey drew his breath in an angry, impatient hiss. ‘‘ For Heaven’s sake, rise!” he cried. ‘You lower your- self. You humble me. Come: let us talk sensibly. I do not want to be hard upon you. I will not say bitter things. Give me your hand.” He took the hand nearest to him as he bent down, and raised the prostrate woman. ‘‘ Be seated,” he said, gravely. ‘‘ Let me talk to you as I would to some one who can listen in an unprejudiced spirit.” There was no reply. “In your character of the captain of these buccaneers you asked me, an English officer, to be your friend and companion —to share with you this command. Is that all?” Still no reply. “Let us tear away the veil,” he continued ; “ for surely I am no egotist when I say to you that from the beginning it was more than this.” “No; I did not know then. I thought that you might be my friend; that I should keep up this disguise until the end,” was faltered piteously. ‘‘Tmpossible !” cried Humphrey, sternly. ‘Let me be plain with you. Let me tell you that I have sat here alone thinking, reading your character, pitying you for all that is past.” ) ! “Pity !” came in a deep, low voice. “Yes,” he said, gently, “pity. Let me try, too, and be grateful. or you spared my life at first; you saved it after- wards,” *Goon. You torture me.” tT 2 COMnnicloOolk<s —)