own the ship's side, bowed two or three times to the ship's
company, who were collected in the waist and on the forecastle; he
was followed by the ladies and the French Officers, and lastly by Lord
Keith. After the boat had shoved off, and got the distance of about
thirty yards from the ship, he stood up, pulled his hat off, and bowed
first to the Officers, and then to the men; and immediately sat down,
and entered into conversation with Lord Keith, with as much apparent
composure as if he had been only going from one ship to the other to
pay a visit.

About a quarter of an hour before Buonaparte quitted the Bellerophon,
Montholon came to me on the quarter-deck, and said, "I am directed by
the Emperor to return you his thanks for the manner in which you have
conducted yourself throughout the whole of this affair; and he desires
me to say, that the greatest cause of disappointment he feels in not
being admitted to an interview with the Prince Regent is, that he had
intended to ask as a favour from his Royal Highness, that you should
be promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral." I answered, "that although
the request could not have been complied with under any circumstances,
as it was contrary to the regulations of our naval service, yet I do
not the less feel the kindness of the intention." "He meant also," he
said, "to have presented you with a box containing his portrait, but
he understands you are determined not to accept it." I replied, "In
the situation I am placed, it is quite impossible I can receive any
present from him." "He is perfectly aware," said he, "of the delicacy
of your situation, and approves of your conduct." I then said, "I feel
much hurt that Count Las Cases should have stated to Lord Keith, that
I had promised Buonaparte should be well received in England, or
indeed made promises of any sort. I have endeavoured to conduct myself
with integrity and honour throughout the whole of this transaction,
and therefore cannot allow such an assertion to go uncontradicted."
"Oh!" said he, "Las Cases negotiated this business; it has turned out
very differently from what he and all of us expected. He attributes
the Emperor's situation to himself, and is therefore desirous of
giving it the best countenance he can; but I assure you, the Emperor
is convinced your conduct has been most honourable": then taking my
hand, he pressed it, and added, "and that is my opinion also."

In the course of the afternoon, I attended