near neighbours. Come over and dine with me to-day. I
like to talk over by-gone days with an old shipmate," said the admiral.

The stranger accepted the invitation, and after a little more
conversation, he walked on.

"A distinguished man," observed General Verner, when the admiral
rejoined him.

"A right noble and brave man," said the admiral, but made no further
remark.

The stranger was in the drawing-room when Miss Verner entered, and was
soon engaged in an animated conversation with her. She thought him
somewhat old-fashioned in his phraseology, perhaps, and mode of
pronunciation, but she had so frequently heard officers of high rank
speak in the same way, that she was not surprised, and as he had seen a
great deal of the world, and described well what he had seen, she was
much interested. As she listened, she felt her interest increase, and
became insensibly drawn towards the old gentleman. As there were many
married ladies present, she was led out among the first, and so she did
not see when he left the room, which might have given her an idea as to
his rank, but she found herself sitting next to him at dinner. Her
father was opposite, and appeared to be much interested in his
conversation. According to the good old custom, the admiral drank wine
round with all his guests. "Mr Ripley, will you take wine?" he said,
addressing her companion in his kind friendly tone. She started, and
she felt the blood rush to her cheeks. She had not recovered from her
confusion before the ceremony of wine-taking was over, and the old
gentleman again addressed her. Could he be the father of Pearce? She
had always understood that his father was a boatswain, and this old
gentleman could not be that, or he would scarcely have been dining at
the admiral's table. Her father would make the inquiry probably of the
admiral; if not, she must try to muster courage to do so. In the mean
time she would ask her companion if he knew Sir Pearce Ripley. In a low
and somewhat trembling voice she put the question.

"Indeed I do, young lady, and am proud to own him as my son," answered
the old seaman, fixing his clear grey eyes on her, as if he would read
her heart. "I have a hope that you know him too, and that no two people
love him better in the world," he added in a whisper.

Alice felt her cheeks glow, and yet she was not annoyed. "Indeed you
are right," she said, in a low tone, which she hoped no one else would
hear, for