find either of his brother officers or the lieutenant of
marines or purser very genial companions. The two lieutenants were
middle-aged men, who had gained their present position by long service
and hard work, and they looked with a jealous eye on one who had been
placed on the next ratline below them, over the heads of many older men
than himself. The marine officer was a married man, rather grave and
saturnine, and the purser had Republican tendencies, though he did not
exhibit them except in the expression of his feelings towards lords and
big-wigs in general.

Thus Lord Reginald was induced to seek the society of Voules and his
former messmates more than he otherwise might have done. As Paddy had
surmised, Lord Reginald did actually tell Voules that he should be much
obliged if he would look after his pup Neptune, and the toady was
frequently seen carrying its food to the dog, washing and brushing it,
and attempting to teach it various tricks. Before long a drawing
appeared, with Voules dressed as a nurse, a mob cap on his head, a bowl
of pap by his side, from which, spoon in hand, he was feeding the puppy
on his knees, while a figure, which could not fail to be recognised as
that of Lord Reginald, was standing by, saying, "You make a capital
nurse, and I shall be happy to recommend you to a similar situation."

It was handed about among the members of the mess, until somehow or
other it reached the gun-room. When Lord Reginald saw it, he laughed
heartily, and declared that he must show it to poor old Toady.

He occasionally dined in due course with the captain. On such occasions
his rank enabled him to speak more familiarly than any of the other
officers would have done, with the exception perhaps of the first
lieutenant. Captain Moubray was not the man to have allowed him to take
the slightest liberty on duty. Lord Reginald had seen Dick Hargrave,
with the other men from the cutter, come on board, and as he eyed the
young sailor the ill feelings with which he had before regarded him
regained their ascendancy in his bosom. Dick would willingly have kept
out of his way, but in the course of duty they were constantly brought
together, when he saw by the glances the third lieutenant cast at him,
and the tone of his voice, that he was as much disliked as ever. His
own proud spirit was aroused. He could not help often returning glance
for glance, though he kept his lips closed to prevent himself saying
any