hat the cash I now
have and such prize-money as we may gain in future, will be ample to
supply them," he added.

"Well, well," said Lord Reginald, fully appreciating Dick's feelings on
the subject, "you are very unlike poor Voules, who did not scruple to
borrow what he had no intention to repay; but we will not talk of his
faults, poor fellow! I understand him now better than I did, but I have
more reason to blame myself for having been toadied by such a man, than
to find fault with him for paying court to me."

The _Wolf_ reached Portsmouth after a somewhat long voyage, and going
into harbour, was at once paid off.

Lord Reginald invited Dick to accompany him to Elverston. "Don't say
who you are, and they'll suppose that I have got another Voules in tow,"
he said, laughing.

Dick thought it would appear ungrateful not to accept the invitation.

Lord Reginald was received as one from the dead, as the news of his
disappearance had reached home, and nothing had been heard of him since.
After his mother and sisters had somewhat recovered from the agitation
into which they had been thrown by his reappearance, and he had received
the congratulations of his father and his elder brothers, Viscount
Elverston and Lord John, he took Dick by the arm and introduced him as
his friend and late shipmate, without mentioning his name. The whole
party then entered the drawing-room. There were several persons,
including three young ladies, engaged in various feminine occupations.
One of them, a bright-eyed blooming girl, Dick thought resembled greatly
in features his sister Janet. He was describing to Lady Julia, who, now
married, was staying with her husband in the house, their adventures on
the island, when, turning round, he saw the last-mentioned young lady
trembling violently, and gazing earnestly at him.

"Oh, my brother, my dear brother!" she exclaimed, suddenly rising and
throwing herself into his arms, quite forgetting the company present.
"Have you really come back? I know you, Dick, though I never saw your
face before. I know you by your voice and your likeness to our father."

Dick, giving vent to his feelings in a way midshipmen are not wont to
do, pressed her to his heart.

"You are quite right, Miss Hargrave, it is your brother Richard, and my
dearest and best friend," said Lord Reginald, coming forward.

Matters were soon explained, and Dick received the heartfelt thanks of
the marquis and Lady Elverston a