The marquis looked at his daughter, but she shook her head.
"Thank you, captain, thanks," replied the marquis. "It is impossible."
"Then we had better part company at once," said the captain. "But before we do so, let me ask you to do me a service."
"What is it?"
"It is about a little note of hand which I will give you, duly signed, requesting you to draw my share of it when you draw your own."
"I'll do anything to please you, captain," said the marquis, affably.
"Very good; then add one hundred lashes on the back of the fellow who fooled me last night, in addition to your own."
"It shall be done," replied the marquis.
"If he has any strength to bear them after he has paid what he owes to me," said a voice.
At the same instant a heavy body fell into the water, and the head of Joseph Picaut was seen about ten paces off, its owner swimming vigorously to the lugger. Once freed of his irons, the Chouan, fearful, no doubt, that some unforeseen circumstance should detain him on the vessel, had plunged head foremost over the schooner's bulwark.