Beresford was very kind to him. He was a
pleasant-mannered, clever-looking young man, and he had a distinguished
air that lent value to the little courtesies he paid. She even said,
as they were talking of chance meetings and the like, that she would be
glad if he called on them while she and her daughters were in London.

'May I be allowed to call on you at Brighton, some day, Lady
Beresford?' he said quickly. 'The fact is, my leave is out; I have to
rejoin my ship at Portsmouth to-morrow.'

At this Nan pricked up her ears. She suddenly remembered that to her
had been entrusted the covert intelligence of his promotion. But was
it necessary it should be kept so great a secret, she asked herself,
rather breathlessly, and with her heart beginning to beat quickly? If
he were to know on the morrow, why not now? It would make him very
happy; it would indeed add a few hours of happiness to his life; and
surely Sir George Stratherne, who was the very soul of kindness, would
rather approve?

Well, she let these two talk on for a time; she wished to be discreet;
she wished to be less nervous. For was it not a great event in the
career of a young man? And how might he take it? She said to herself,
'The old monarchs used to kill the messengers who brought them bad
news, and they used to give heaps of presents to those who brought them
good news. I am glad I shall be able to tell him of his promotion, for
he has been so excessively kind to mamma.'

She waited her opportunity.

'Oh, Lieutenant King, do you know a ship called the _Fly-by-Night_?'
she said, quite casually, and in an off-hand way.

'Yes,' he said, regarding her with some surprise. 'She's what they
call a school-brig--a training brig. I think she's at Plymouth.'

'A training-brig?' said Nan, innocently. 'Then they want a clever
officer, I suppose, to be in command of a training-brig.'

'Yes, they want a smart fellow,' said he, without any great interest;
and he was about to turn to Lady Beresford again when Nan continued--

'Would it--would it surprise you if you heard you were to be
transferred to the _Fly-by-Night_?'

'I shouldn't like to hear of it,' said he, laughing; 'I am satisfied
where I am.'

'But I mean to command her.'

'I'm afraid that's a long way off yet,' said he, lightly.

'Oh no, it isn't,' said Nan timorously. 'I am sure it is no great
secret--you will know to-morrow--you are to be appointed to-morrow to
the command of t