“That is a question not so easily answered,” replied an equally fat gentleman.
“Is he any relation of Lord Fitz-Ullin’s?” enquired some one.
“None whatever,” replied an elderly naval officer, dryly.
“Lord Fitz-Ullin, then, was merely his patron?” said a young naval officer. “Merely,” resumed the elder, “and one half the talent and spirit, shown by Captain Montgomery, would have ensured to any young man Fitz-Ullin’s favour: he is quite enthusiastic about the service.”
“Fitz-Ullin was a very gay fellow in his youth,” observed a corpulent gentleman, “and Captain Montgomery being of unknown origin, may, after all, be no very distant relation of his lordship’s.”
“Very improbable!” rejoined the elder officer, “Fitz-Ullin would give one half his paternal estates for such a son, even in the way to which you allude.”
“His lordship has a son?”
“Yes, but Ormond, though a good-natured fellow, is quite unfit for his profession.”
“Strange that, too!” puffed out the corpulent gentleman, “for he is strikingly like his father.”