“She is not at home, dear Newton,” replied Amber; “she walked out with your father. They are both well.”
“And my uncle?”
“Quite well, and most anxious to see you. He talks of nobody but you, and of nothing but your actions, which we were just reading about when you came in. Pray Captain Newton, may I inquire after your French friends? What has become of them?”
“They are at Sablonnière’s hotel. Miss Amber; they have obtained their parole at the Alien-office.”
The conversation was interrupted by the return of Newton’s father and mother, and shortly afterward Mr John Forster made his appearance. After the first greeting and congratulations were over—
“Well, Newton,” observed Nicholas, “so you beat off a pirate, I hear.”
“No, my dear father, we boarded one.”
“Ah! very true; I recollect—and you killed Surcoeuf.”
“No, father, only beat him off.”
“So it was; I recollect now.—Brother John, isn’t it almost dinner-time?”