“No doubt about that, Harry,” I answered. “You did well, and I am proud of you; still be wise, and don’t presume on what you have done.”
I don’t think Harry quite liked my advice; however, he said nothing. I think that Reginald must have been a little jealous of him, though it was not his fault that he had not been up in time to board the brig before we had possession of her; at all events, he did not show what he felt, and spoke as if he admired Harry more than ever.
As soon as we arrived at Spithead, Harry, Reginald, and I got leave to go on shore; Harry had by this time nearly recovered, but the doctor said that I must not expect to be fit for duty for many weeks to come. Reginald at once went home, and Harry accompanied me. If nobody else was proud of him, Susan at all events was, and I had good reason to be thankful that I had such a wife to look after me. The same evening Reginald came down and begged Harry to come to the house, as his father and mother and all the ladies were anxious to see him. Reginald had been giving a full account of Harry’s gallantry, and I suspect from what Susan heard, that Miss Fanny had somewhat betrayed her feelings. Harry came back in high spirits, accompanied by Reginald, to help him along; I was altogether laid up, and, though Harry could not walk far, he managed to get every day to the captain’s house. In less than ten days he received his commission as lieutenant.
“I knew you would!” I exclaimed as he held it up proudly to me. “All you wanted was the opportunity, and you got that.”
“I hope that Reginald will get his too!” he exclaimed, “for he deserves it, as he would have done the same had he had the chance I got. I must go up to the captain’s, and tell them,” he said.
“I was on the point of cautioning him about his behaviour to Miss Fanny, but I had not the heart just then to do it, he looked so proud and happy. Off he went, and didn’t come back till late in the evening, as he had been asked to stop and dine. Next day he had to go over to Portsmouth to order his uniform.
“I must go up and see Miss Fanny first,” he said; “she told me that the captain spoke so highly of me that she is satisfied he would not object to our marriage. I shall have, as you know, a good share of prize-money, and we think that we shall have enough to keep house; so she was to tell the captain this morning, and we hope to have it all settled.
“I don’t like to damp your spirits, Harry,” I said, “but, my dear boy, don’t be too sure; the captain could do nothing else than speak highly of your conduct; but that makes me think, as I have all along, that he never dreamt of his daughter and you falling in love with each other. However, you are bound to go up and hear what he has to say, and if he is not pleased, don’t show any anger, but say that you will wait patiently till you have gained another step in rank, or have discovered who are your parents; and that if it should be proved that your family is not inferior to his, that you hope he will then withdraw any objections he may at present entertain.”
“I trust that I shall not have to say that,” answered Harry; “I would rather be accepted on my own merits.”
“So you are by the young lady; and that is the chief matter. Parents are apt to look at things in a different light to young people,” I observed.