"To what, then?" asked the other, glancing at the uniform.
"To the ship Amethyst, of London, carrying the flag of the Royal Naval Reserve," replied Derval, touching his cap, for somehow the bearing of him he addressed bore the impress of one in no small authority.
The latter drew a handsome ring from his finger, and presented it to Derval, saying:
"I beg that you will accept of this, and wear it in remembrance of one whose gratitude you have won for life."
The stone was a magnificent onyx, and Derval saw, with a start, how that it bore a shield with three choughs, and the motto Clarior e Tenebris. He bowed, and placed it on his finger, saying:
"May I ask whom I have the honour of addressing?"
"This," said an officer (an aide-de-camp apparently), who stood near, "is Lord Oakhampton, Governor of the Bermudas."
His remote kinsman and his father's enemy! Confusion, astonishment, and then something of gratification filled the heart of Derval by turns, and all together.
"I am deeply grateful to you, young gentleman, for the great service you have rendered to me; but may I, in turn, ask your name, that I may never forget it?"
"My name, like yours, my lord, is Hampton—Derval Hampton."