at her father's anger; for the old gentleman was very apt
to vent it in the _argumentum ad feminam_, and box her ears soundly.

Fortunately dinner was served just at this moment, and this gave a turn
to the conversation, and also to their thoughts. Mr Culpepper was all
attention, and Miss Medea, gradually recovering her temper, also became
affable and condescending.

The evening passed away very agreeably; but I went to bed early, as I
wished to be left to my own reflections, and it was not till daylight
that I could compose my troubled mind so as to fall asleep.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

Although the aversion which I had taken to the whole Culpepper family
was so great, that I could have done anything to annoy them, my mind was
now so fully occupied with the information which I had collected
relative to my supposed birth and parentage, that I could not think of
mischief.

I walked on the common or in the little garden during the whole of the
following day, plunged in deep thought, and at night, when I went to
bed, I remained awake till the dawn. During these last two days I had
thought and reflected more than I had perhaps done from the hour of my
birth.

That I was better off than I should have been if I had been the son of a
private in the marines, I felt convinced; but still I had a feeling that
I was in a position in which I might be subjected to much insult, and
that, unless I was acknowledged by my aristocratic parent, my connection
with his family would be of no use to me;--and Captain Delmar, how was I
to behave to him? I did not like him much, that was certain, nor did
this new light which had burst forth make me feel any more love for him
than I did before. Still my mother's words at Chatham rung in my ears,
"Do you know who it is that you have been?" etcetera. I felt sure that
he was my father, and I felt a sort of duty towards him; perhaps an
increase of respect.

These were anxious thoughts for a boy not fourteen; and the Culpeppers
remarked, that I had not only looked very pale, but had actually grown
thin in the face during my short stay.

As I was very quiet and reserved after the first day, they were very
glad when my clothes were brought home, and I was reported ready to
embark; so was I, for I wanted to go on board and see my friend Tommy
Dott, with whom I intended, if the subject was brought up, to consult as
to my proceedings, or perhaps I thought it would be better to consult
Bob Cros