to an admiral.

A number of the passengers were collected on the poop-deck, waiting for
the boats to convey them up to Calcutta.

"Who is that man to whom Mr Morton and Mr Glover are paying so much
attention?" asked Colonel Armytage, who happened just then to look up
from his book.

No one could tell him. After he had seen his father off, Ronald joined
the party on the poop. He certainly would not have gone, had Edda not
been there. The feeling came forcibly on him that he ought to tell her
about his father. It had never occurred to him before. As he was going
up to address her, some ladies stopped him, and asked, "Who is that fine
looking, officer-like man who just now left the ship!"

"He is my father," said Ronald, firmly. Edda looked up at him with a
surprised expression.

"Why, Mr Morton, if I mistake not, he wears the dress of a boatswain,"
said Colonel Armytage, in a cool, deliberate manner.

"Yes, sir--he is boatswain of his Majesty's ship the `Lion.'"

"Your father a boatswain!" said the colonel in the same slow manner.
"You should have informed me of this before, sir."

"The question was not asked me," answered Ronald. "I was wrong, I feel,
in not mentioning it."

At that moment his eye caught Edda's, casting on him a look of such
sorrow and pain that he was about to spring to her side, when she
suddenly sunk on her seat, and would have fallen on the deck had not
Mrs Armytage and another lady at hand caught her in their arms.

"It is of no consequence," exclaimed Colonel Armytage, in a peremptory
manner; "you have undoubtedly duties to perform about the ship. We will
not detain you from them."

Ronald felt that his only dignified course was to retire. With a heart
bursting with indignation, he walked forward. Not long after this the
boats arrived to carry the passengers back to Calcutta, where they
purposed remaining till the arrangements respecting the ship were
concluded. Ronald had been directed to retain the command till it could
be legally restored to Captain Winslow.

Miss Armytage had gone below, and was kept out of his sight till she was
ready to leave the ship. He came to assist her down the side. She gave
him a look full of sorrow, but which he interpreted to mean, "Do not
think that what I have heard can diminish my affection for you; it were
worth little if it did." But she had scarcely time to falter out a few
words before her father stepped up and effectually stopped