t of my power to give them any very great
distinctness or connection."

"Perhaps the fault is less your own, sir, than his. Bluewater is
addicted to fits of absence of mind, and then he has no reason to
complain that others do not understand him, for he does not always
understand himself."

Sir Gervaise said this with a little glee, delighted at finding his
friend had not committed himself to his messenger. The latter, however,
was less disposed to excuse himself by such a process, inasmuch as he
felt certain that the rear-admiral's feelings were in the matter he
communicated, let the manner have been what it might.

"I do not think we can attribute any thing to Admiral Bluewater's
absence of mind, on this occasion, sir," answered Wycherly, with
generous frankness. "His feelings appeared to be strongly enlisted in
what he said. It might have been owing to the strength of these feelings
that he was a little obscure, but it could not have been owing to
indifference."

"I shall best understand the matter, then, by hearing what he did say,
sir."

Wycherly paused, and endeavoured to recall what had passed, in a way to
make it intelligible.

"I was frequently told to caution you not to engage the French, sir,
until the other division had closed, and was ready to assist. But,
really, whether this was owing to some secret information that the
rear-admiral had obtained, or to a natural desire to have a share in the
battle, is more than I can say."

"Each may have had its influence. Was any allusion made to secret
intelligence, that you name it?"

"I never felt more cause to be ashamed of my own dullness, than at this
present moment, Sir Gervaise Oakes," exclaimed Wycherly, who almost
writhed under the awkwardness of his situation; for he really began to
suspect that his own personal grounds of unhappiness had induced him to
forget some material part of his message;--"recent events ashore, had
perhaps disqualified me for this duty."

"It is natural it should be so, my young friend; and as I am acquainted
with them all, you can rest satisfied with my indulgence."

"All! no--Sir Gervaise, you know not half--but, I forget myself, sir,
and beg your pardon."

"I have no wish to pry into your secrets, Sir Wycherly Wychecombe, and
we will drop the subject. You may say, however, if the rear-admiral was
in good spirits--as an English seaman is apt to be, with the prospect of
a great battle before him."

"I thought not, Si