ature to rejoice over, but here was great news.
He only wanted two more years to be qualified for his "Post," and once
a captain, he would have a position which might warrant his asking
Julia to be his wife, and thus was it that the great dream of his whole
existence was interwoven into his career, and his advancement as a
sailor linked with his hopes as a lover; and surely it is well for us
that ambitions in life appeal to us in other and humbler ways than by
the sense of triumph, and that there are better rewards for success than
either the favor of princes or the insignia of rank.

To poor Jack, looking beyond that two years, it was not a three-decker,
nor even frigate, it was the paradise of a cottage overgrown with
sweetbrier and honeysuckle, that presented itself,--and a certain
graceful figure, gauzy and floating, sitting in the porch, while he lay
at her feet, lulled by the drowsy ripple of the little trout-stream that
ran close by. So possessed was he by this vision, so entirely and wholly
did it engross him, that it was with difficulty he gave coherent replies
to the questions poured in upon him at the breakfast-table, as to the
sort of service he was about to be engaged in, and whether it was as
good or a better thing than he had been expecting.

"I wish you joy, Jack," said Augustus. "You're a lucky dog to get afloat
again so soon. You have n't been full six months on half-pay."

"I wish you joy, too," said Temple, "and am thankful to Fate it is you,
and not I, have to take the command of H.M.'s gunboat 'Sneezer.'"

"Perhaps, all things considered, it is as well as it is," said Jack,
dryly.

"It is a position of some importance. I mean it is not the mere command
of a small vessel," said Marion, haughtily; for she was always eager
that every incident that befell the family should redound to their
distinction, and subserve their onward march to greatness.

"Oh, Jack," whispered Nelly, "let us walk over to the cottage, and tell
them the news;" and Jack blushed as he squeezed her hand in gratitude
for the speech.

"I almost wonder they gave you this, Jack," said his father, "seeing how
active a part I took against them; but I suppose there is some truth
in the saying that Ministers would rather soothe enemies than succor
friends."

"Don't you suspect, papa, that Lord Culduff may have had some share in
this event? His influence, I know, is very great with his party," said
Marion.

"I hope and trust not