“Greatly grieved, my Lord; she continues to bewail the disappearance of her mother, and takes her lonely situation much to heart.”
“Yes, poor child!” said the Admiral in a kind, thoughtful tone, “she must feel her orphan state. I am interested in her, for her father did me a great service at one time—as important a service as one man can render another; I would, therefore, befriend his child.”
“Pardon me, my Lord,” timidly observed our hero; “but Master Howard Etherton declares that Mr. Hugh Granby Arden, his uncle, was never married, and died abroad.”
“Then he states that which is not the fact,” returned Lord Hood, sternly; “at least, with respect to his not being married. I was aware he died abroad—he died in France. However, I sent for you to let you know that I have appointed Lieutenant O’Loughlin to take the command of the French eighteen-gun corvette Babet, captured in Toulon. He is to take her to England, and will sail in company with the other captured ships. This is, of course, only a temporary command, and I will also place you in her.”
William Thornton’s cheek flushed with delight, as he started from his seat with surprise.
“The Babet, however,” continued Lord Hood, “has scarcely half her proper number of guns, for she was fitting out when seized; and her complement of men must be small, for we cannot spare more. I have communicated with Admiral Volney’s widow, and she is quite rejoiced to take her passage in the Babet to England; Miss Arden will thus be protected and taken care of, and you will have the satisfaction of personally seeing her restored to her relatives, which I am sure will gratify you exceedingly.”
“Indeed, my Lord,” put in the midshipman with enthusiasm, “you could not confer upon me a greater favour, and I trust I shall be worthy of your Lordship’s generous kindness.”
“You have behaved very well, young man,” said the Admiral, kindly, “and Sir Sidney Smith is highly pleased with your gallantry and coolness in that daring enterprise of his; he offers to take you with him, but I think you will prefer the appointment and trust I now propose to you.”
“For little Mabel Arden’s sake, my Lord, infinitely. Nevertheless, I feel exceedingly grateful to Captain Sir Sidney Smith for his offers of service. He said something to me yesterday of this, and, not knowing your Lordship’s generous intentions, I expressed myself delighted with the promotion he promised me.”
“Well, your absence will only be for the voyage,” said Lord Hood; “you will rejoin this ship by the first vessel coming out, as will also Lieutenant O’Loughlin.”