“Ah, well, I’m the gainer, you know; but what good will it do you at the admiralty? will they thank you for your self-denial? Not they; they don’t know what such fine feeling is. Boards are always half-grained, tough, and intractable.”
“I am beyond caring for their praise or censure now, sir; my accounts must soon be rendered at a higher tribunal.”
“Don’t be down-hearted, my dear fellow!” said the admiral, gulping down something which seemed to stick in his throat. “I hope to have you under my command again some day.”
“I am so glad Duncan has been promoted,” observed Captain Hepburn.
“Ay, there’s a piece of interest, depend on it. How does he manage to get on? Not but what he is as fine a young fellow as need be; but then I know how things go. I would bet you any thing you please, Sir Charles, that there is a lady at the bottom of that. I know he got his lieutenant’s commission because a little girl, having admired his handsome face, got a great man to speak for him to the First Lord. That’s the way the service goes on. Eh, Captain Hepburn!”
“You are not quite correct in one matter, sir; the young lady had never seen Maurice Duncan; she did it out of love for his sister.”
The admiral laughed.
“His sister is my wife,” continued the captain.
“Ay! indeed! I was not aware of that!”
“He is a fine, intelligent, brave-hearted young man,” said