But he could talk about Babington,--abusing the old family,--and even about himself, and about New South Wales, and gold, and the coming voyage, without touching points which had been, and would be, specially painful.

Not a word had ever been spoken between them as to Davis.

There had, of course, been letters, very angry letters; but the usurer's name had never been mentioned.

Nor was there any need that it should be mentioned now.

It was John's affair,--not in any way his.