"I want to see Jack settled. There 's the succession to think of."
"You talk as though you was a king."
"Well, so I am, in a small way. Think of the estate! I want Jack to take the reins."
"How can he, when he 's on the sea?"
"He's to retire as soon as he gets his Captaincy."
The Admiral jumped up. "Retire! Now! With Boney ready to gobble us up!"
Otford drew him down again. "Don't you see? With all this battle and bloodshed, now's the time for Jack to give me a grandson. He 's my only child, remember. Why, hang it, man, if he was to die without issue, the title and the estates would go to that infernal whig scoundrel, James Sayle."
"That won't do," Sir Peter assented, wisely nodding his head.
"Of course it won't. Now, there's old Wendover's gel—Caroline Thring."
