t Sir George
Cockburn had received orders to that effect. "They had better treat
him like a dog at once," said she, "and put him down in the hold." I
had for several days been kept in a state of irritation that cannot be
described, and such as few people have had an opportunity of
experiencing. Madame Bertrand had, it will be readily understood, some
share in causing this; and on her making the above remark, I am sorry
to say, the little self-possession that still remained gave way, and I
answered in these words, "Madam, you talk like a very foolish woman;
and if you cannot speak more to the purpose, or with more respect of
the Government I have the honour to serve, I request you will not
address yourself to me." Just before she went out of the ship,
however, she came up to me in a conciliatory and friendly manner, that
did her the highest honour, and said, "Captain Maitland, you called me
a very foolish woman this morning, but I should be sorry to part with
you on bad terms; have you any objection to shake hands with me? as
God knows if we shall ever meet again." "Very far from it," I
answered; "I should be extremely sorry you left the ship without
receiving my good wishes for your happiness and prosperity; and if, in
the warmth of my temper, and under the harassing circumstances of my
situation, I have said anything unpleasant, I most sincerely beg your
pardon, and hope you will forgive and forget it."

Soon after breakfast, Marchand came and said the Emperor wished to see
me: I went into the cabin. "I have requested to see you, Captain,"
said he, "to return you my thanks for your kindness and attention to
me whilst I have been on board the Bellerophon, and likewise to beg
you will convey them to the officers and ship's company you command.
My reception in England has been very different from what I expected;
but it gives me much satisfaction to assure you, that I feel your
conduct to me throughout has been that of a gentleman and a man of
honour." He then said, he was desirous of having Mr O'Meara, the
surgeon of the Bellerophon, to accompany him; and asked my opinion of
him in his medical capacity, as well as of his principles. I replied,
that I had the highest opinion of him, both for his skill and
attention; that he had given me so much satisfaction while under my
command, that I had procured his removal from two different ships in
which he had served with me previous to my appointment to the
Bellerophon, that he