se between your
leaving him and his leaving off privateering, he will hesitate in
relinquishing the latter. You have, moreover, great weight with him,
Mr Elrington; my father is fully aware of the deep obligation he is
under to your courage and self-devotion in the affair of the Jacobite
refugees. You will, therefore, succeed, if you are firm; and, if you do
succeed, you will have my gratitude, if that is of any importance to
you; my friendship you know you have already."

The entrance of Mr Trevannion prevented my reply. We had been waiting
for his return from a walk, and dinner had been ready some time. "I
have just seen some of the men of the Arrow," said Mr Trevannion,
taking off his hat and spencer, "and that detained me."

"Has Captain Levee arrived, then, Sir?" said I.

"No; but he has sent in a prize--of no great value--laden with light
wares. The men in charge tell me he has had a rough affair with a
vessel armed _en flute_, and that he has lost some men. Your brother
Philip, as usual, is wounded."

I should here observe, that during the year which had passed away the
two privateers had been several times in port--they had met with
moderate success, barely sufficient to pay their expenses; my brother
Philip had always conducted himself very gallantly, and had been twice
wounded in different engagements.

"Well, Sir," replied I, "I do not think that the loss of a little blood
will do any harm to such a hot-headed youth as Master Philip; but I hope
in a short time to give him an opportunity of shedding it in the service
of the king, instead of in the pursuit of money. Indeed," continued I,
as I sat down to table, "the enemy are now so cautious, or have so few
vessels on the high seas, that I fear your privateering account current
will not be very favourable, when balanced, as it will be in a few days,
notwithstanding this cargo of wares just arrived."

"Then we must hope better for next year," replied Mr Trevannion. "Amy,
my dear, have you been out to-day?"

"Yes, Sir; I was riding for two hours."

"Have they altered your pillion yet?"

"Yes, Sir; it came home last night, and it is now very comfortable."

"I called at Mrs Carleton's, who is much better. What a fop that Mr
Carleton is--I don't know what scented powder he uses, but it perfumed
the whole room. Had not Mrs Carleton been such an invalid, I should
have opened the window."

Mr Trevannion then turned the conversation to some politi