What do you say, Lal?
'Tis surely better than to sit, moping here in this place of gloom." "I'll...I'll think of it," said Lionel, but so listlessly that all Sir Oliver's quickening enthusiasm perished again at once and no more was said of the venture.
But Lionel did not altogether reject the notion.

If on the one hand he was repelled by it, on the other he was attracted almost despite himself.

He went so far as to acquire the habit of riding daily over to Penycumwick, and there he made the acquaintance of that hardy and scarred adventurer of whom Sir Oliver had spoken, and listened to the marvels the fellow had to tell--many of them too marvellous to be true--of hazards upon distant seas.
But one day in early March Master Jasper Leigh had a tale of another kind for him, news that dispelled from Lionel's mind all interest in the captain's ventures on the Spanish Main.

The seaman had followed the departing Lionel to the door of the little inn and stood by his stirrup after he had got to horse.
"A word in your ear, good Master Tressilian," said he.

"D'ye know what is being concerted here against our brother ?" "Against my brother ?" "Ay--in the matter of the killing of Master Peter Godolphin last Christmas.