s or listening to the fiddling on the
forecastle, where the men were dancing. But the interest of the
Beresfords was concentrated rather on the gig that waited below, at the
foot of the accommodation-ladder, with five blue-jackets in her. They
saw an officer descend and step into the stern of the gig; then she was
shoved off, and simultaneously the oars struck the water. In a very
few minutes the bow of the boat was run up on the beach, the gangboard
put out, and then the officer stepped ashore.

'Oh, my! ain't we resplendent?' remarked the brother of the girls,
apparently to himself. 'But it will be mortally awkward, young sir, if
your ship should get aground, with the tide ebbing. Lawks-a-mussy! a
court-martial. Even your first-class certificates, and Sir George
Stratherne, and all the Lords put together, couldn't get you out of
that. And, then, the ignominy of it! _Question_: What on earth made
you take the _Fly-by-Night_ in to Brighton? _Answer_: Please, sir--ax
yer pardon, sir!--I only wanted to spoon one o' them doosid pretty
Beresford girls.'

'Thomas, leave the room!' said his mother, in a violent rage.

Thomas could not help it; he had to go. But he said as he passed by
her,

'Take care, mother; you are involving yourself in something serious.
Her Majesty's brig _Fly-by-Night_ will be aground in about two
twinkles!'

A few minutes later Lady Beresford was handed a card, inscribed
'Lieutenant Francis Holford King, R.N.;' and shortly thereafter the
owner of the card presented himself in the drawing-room. Now, there
can be no doubt that her Majesty's uniform, especially when women-folk
are the spectators, lends a certain dignity to the human figure; but,
even in ordinary dress, this new-comer would have seemed to most a
manly-looking, well-built young fellow, who had some decision in his
face, and a very straightforward way of looking at people. He was of
middle height, slight and square-shouldered; his forehead square; his
hair black, likewise the short moustache twisted at the ends; while his
eyes were of that singularly dark and luminous blue that one never
sees, oddly enough, except in the eyes of sailors. However, there was
nothing of the robustious, shiver-my-timbers, conventional sailor about
him; his manner was somewhat reserved; he had a touch of gravity beyond
his years; perhaps he had acquired it through being put at an early age
in command of so many men; but it never forsook him--no