ish, and time will decide how you are to
act. I am going over to Southampton for a few days perhaps, and will
take care to be back by the wedding. By-the-bye, have you heard
anything about prize-money?"

"Yes, sir; it's payable for the Diligente and schooner, and all our
recaptures in the West Indies when we were in the Firefly. The Dutch
frigate has been for distribution some time; but as I was only petty
officer then, it won't come to much."

"Well, I can tell you that the government have taken the schooner which
we captured in the chops of the channel, and the East India Company have
given us salvage for the ship. My agent has received already 7,400
pounds on my account, which I have ordered to be purchased into the
funds. As there were so few warrant officers, your share will not be
less than 1,500 pounds, perhaps more. As you said, the salvage of the
Indiaman has proved more valuable to us than all the rest of our
prize-money put together."

"Well, Captain Keene, if my prize-money comes to as much as that, I
think I shall be nearly as well off as my little Jane will be. Will you
have the kindness to let your agent put it by for me in the same way
that you have done yours?"

"Yes, Cross, I will see to it immediately; I shall write to him
to-morrow, or the day after."

After a little conversation, Cross took leave. The next day I took
post-horses, and went over to Madeline Hall, having two or three days
before received a note from the Honourable Miss Delmar, saying how glad
she should be to see me as a friend and shipmate of her nephew, Lord de
Versely; so that it appeared the old lady had been written to by Lord de
Versely respecting me.

I arrived early in the afternoon, and the post-chaise drove up the
avenue of magnificent chestnut-trees which led to the mansion.

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO.

I must say that I was very much excited; I was now arriving at the site
of my birth, and it brought to my mind the details given me by my poor
mother, when, finding she could no longer conceal the truth from me, she
entered into a narrative to extenuate her conduct, pointing out her
temptations, and how fatal to her were opportunity and seclusion. Her
form was before me with the tears running down her cheeks as she made
her humiliating confession to her own son, and I could not help
exclaiming, as I cast my eye upon the beautiful grounds, "My poor
mother!"

The chaise stopped, and the boys dismounted and ran