m more than half-inclined to keep you here,
instead of sending you back--but we shall see, we shall see. Now, just
give me a detailed account of your entire services from the time when
you first entered the navy, and tell it me as you would to any ordinary
friend, for this conversation is not official; it is not a report from a
midshipman to an admiral, but just a friendly chat between an elderly
gentleman and a young one."

Thus encouraged I got under way and spun my yarn as best I could, Sir
Timothy interrupting me from time to time to ask a question or to elicit
from me an explanation of some point which I had not made quite clear.
We sat there talking until close upon three o'clock in the morning, and
when at length we rose to retire to our respective rooms, Sir Timothy
remarked:

"Well, Mr Grenvile, I have listened to your story with a great deal of
pleasure and satisfaction, and what you have told me has fully confirmed
me in my half-formed determination to keep you here on the station for
the present. Come to me at my office down at Port Royal, at--let me
see--yes, say three o'clock to-morrow, or, rather, this afternoon, and I
shall then have something more to say to you. Oh, and there is another
matter upon which I intended to speak to you! I understand, both from
the commodore and yourself, that you are anxious to pass, so that your
acting order as lieutenant may be confirmed. Now it happens, very
luckily for you, that an examination of midshipmen has been arranged for
next week; it will take place aboard the _Achilles_, and I would
strongly recommend you to send in your papers at once, for, from what
you have told me to-night, I have no doubt that you will be able to pass
without the slightest difficulty. And now, good-night! Breakfast will
be on the table at eight o'clock sharp."

On the following afternoon I landed on the wharf at Port Royal, and
entered the admiral's office at the moment when "six bells" were being
struck aboard the flagship. The old gentleman was busy at the moment
signing a number of papers, but he paused for a moment to wave me to a
seat, and then resumed his labours.

Presently, having completed the signing of the papers, Sir Timothy
delivered them to the secretary, who was waiting for them, and then,
unlocking and opening a drawer in his desk, he withdrew a somewhat
voluminous bundle of documents, which he placed on the table before him.

"These," he said, "are letters and