several people were speaking loudly, and there was a clatter
of knives and forks.

"He will be in England again soon to refit, for he has allowed his
frigate very little rest since he commanded her," observed the old
gentleman. "He, I hope too, will then get a spell at home, for since he
went to sea at ten years of age, he has never once been ten days on
shore at a time, aye, I may say, not a month altogether."

Alice whispered her hope that he would remain on shore. After retiring
to the drawing-room she looked anxiously for the arrival of the
gentlemen. Her father and Mr Ripley entered together. The general
soon came and sat down by her.

"A very agreeable old naval officer that is we've been talking to," he
remarked; "I did not catch his name, but the admiral tells me that he is
a master in the service."

Alice was pleased to hear this, but much puzzled. She managed to speak
to the admiral when no one was near. He put on a quizzical look. "Now,
young lady, if you had been inquiring about Sir Pearce Ripley, his son,
I should not have been surprised," he answered. "The fact is, my friend
Ripley became a master late in life. He had served in the lower grades
of the profession, and if the rules of the service had allowed it, he
should have been made a post-captain. I cannot tell you all the brave
things he has done. When in charge of a prize, he fought a most gallant
action; he prevented his ship's company from joining the mutineers at
the Nore. On two several occasions, he saved the ship from being
wrecked, not to mention his conduct on the first of June, and on
numerous previous occasions. I placed his son on the quarterdeck,
predicting that he would be an honour to the service, and so he is, and
I am proud of him."

While the admiral was speaking, Alice was considering whether she should
confide her case to him, and beg him to intercede with her father, or
rather to speak to him of Mr Ripley in a way which might overcome his
prejudices. She almost gasped for breath in her agitation, but her
resolution was taken, and without loss of time she hurriedly told him of
her engagement to Sir Pearce Ripley.

"I am heartily glad to hear of it, my dear young lady," exclaimed the
admiral warmly; "he is worthy of you and you are of him, and that is
saying a great deal for you. Hoity toity! I wonder my friend General
Verner has not more sense; the idea of dismissing one of the finest
officers in the service