The boy sent up his name and was immediately admitted.
“I presume you know why you are discharged from the service?” said Captain L—, smiling benignantly.
“Yes, sir,” replied the boy, holding his head down submissively, “because of that accident—I’m very sorry, sir.”
“Of course you must, and ought to be. Such heavy blows are not common, and hard to bear. I presume you go immediately to Buckhurst?”
“I suppose I must, sir; but I hope, Captain L—, that you’ll look over it.”
“I shall have very great pleasure in so doing,” replied Captain L—; “I hear that it is—”
“Thanky, sir, thanky,” replied the youngster, interrupting the captain. “Then I may go on board again and tell the first-lieutenant?”
“Tell the first-lieutenant what?” cried Captain L—, perceiving some mistake. “Why, has not Mr W— told you?”
“Yes, sir, he told me it was your orders that I should be dismissed his Majesty’s service.”
“Discharged—not dismissed. And I presume he told you why: because your two elder brothers are dead, and you are now Lord Aveleyn.”