"Is it a large fleet?"
"Yes, it would be called large in any part of the world."
"How large is it?"
"Besides the Northumberland there are several other men-of-war, and the transports with the Fifty-third Regiment."
"But did you see Napoleon?" asked one of the children, returning to the subject of greatest interest.
"I did not see General Bonaparte," replied the father, pausing to see the effect of his words on the children. Then, as he noted their expression of disappointment, he quickly added: "But I saw some of the others,—some of his suite."
"Oh, tell us about it!"
"There is little to tell. After paying my respects to Sir George Cockburn, I was introduced to Madame Bertrand and Madame Montholon, and then to the rest of Napoleon's suite."
"What were they like?" asked one of the girls eagerly, as if she expected her father to describe a group of strange beings.
"Like any travellers, my child, who had had a long voyage, from the effects of which they were anxious to rest."