Was not that, in a trivial, but terribly impressive manner, precisely the same thing that Daniel had been told by his captain?  People do not resign when they face the enemy.

It was very evident that the officers who were there assembled doubted his courage, and were discussing the fact when he entered.  It was clear that they attributed his resignation to fear.

At this idea, that he might be suspected of cowardice, Daniel trembled all over.  What could he do to prove that he was not a coward?  Should he challenge every one of these men, and fight one, two, ten duels?  Would that prove that he had not shrunk from the unknown perils of a new country, from the dangers of an armed invasion, and a fatal climate?  No; unless he was willing to remain a marked man for life, he must go; yes, go, since out there dangers awaited him of which he was held to be afraid.

He went up, therefore, to the old lieutenant, and said, in a voice loud enough to be heard by every one in the room,—­

“My good comrade, I had just been ordered to the place you come from, and I had sent in my resignation; but after what you have said,—­things I knew nothing of,—­I shall go.”

There was a murmur of approbation.  And one voice said, “Ah!  I was sure of it!” and that was all.  But it was quite enough to prove to Daniel that he had chosen the only way to save his honor, which had been in imminent peril.  But, simple as the whole scene was in itself, it was very extraordinary, in view of the usual reserve which prevails among sailors.  And, besides, does it not happen almost every day, that an officer ordered to some station requests and obtains leave to exchange with some one else, and nothing is said?

Daniel felt that underneath the whole affair there was some diabolic intrigue.  If Miss Brandon had really procured this order to active service, was it not likely that she would have taken her measures, so that he could not possibly avoid going?  Were all these men in citizen’s dress whom he saw there really navy officers?  The young man who had asked Lieut.  Dutac to go on in his story had disappeared.  Daniel went from one to the other, inquiring who that clever young man was, but in vain.  Soon a summons came for him to appear in the superior’s office.  He hastened there; and, as he opened the door, he said,—­

“I’ll follow your advice, captain.  In three days I shall be on board ‘The Conquest.’”

The captain’s stern face cleared up, and he said approvingly,—­

“All right!  You did well to change your mind; for your business began to look very ugly.  The minister is very angry with you.”

“The minister?  And why?”

“Primo, he had charged you with a very important duty.”

“To be sure,” stammered Daniel, hanging his head; “but I have been so severely suffering!”

The fact is, he had totally forgotten that unlucky work.