any further
communication.

The manner of Colonel Armytage, indeed, was so rude, that Ronald had to
recollect who he was, to assist him in commanding his temper.

The passengers in the boats were concealed by the awnings which covered
them, but Ronald could not help standing on the deck, watching them with
a heavy heart as they took their way up the broad stream of the Hooghly.

The next day he received three letters; two were official, one of them
was from his captain, expressing the warm approbation of Admiral Rainier
for his conduct in the attack on the enemy's forts; the other was from
the officials of the Honourable East India Company, promising him some
substantial proof of their sense of his merit. The third letter was
private. He opened it with some misgiving.

"It is as I expected," he exclaimed bitterly; "my father was right."

The letter was from Colonel Armytage, and was couched in almost
offensive terms.

"Sir,--You took unwarrantable advantage of the opportunities afforded
you of paying attention to Miss Armytage during our late voyage; and in
case you should misunderstand my behaviour towards you while you had
command of the `Osterley,' I feel it necessary to state that,
considering your true position in society, I consider your conduct most
reprehensible, and desire that from henceforth all communication between
you and any member of my family shall cease. My daughter is too
obedient, and has too high a sense of propriety to differ in opinion
with me on this subject.--I am, sir, your obedient servant--

"A. Armytage."

When Ronald told his father what had occurred, Rolf replied--

"You will serve your country the more devotedly, and depend on it she
has need of you."

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.

RONALD JOINS LORD CLAYMORE'S SHIP--THE "PALLAS" AT SEA--A CHASE--ENEMY'S
FLEET IN SIGHT--"PALLAS" CHASED BY ENEMY--LORD CLAYMORE'S MANOEUVRE--
ESCAPE OF "PALLAS."

No part of the British coast presents a harbour of beauty equal to that
of Plymouth Sound, with its lofty banks covered with trees from the
summit to the water's edge, its rocks and headlands, its numerous bays,
inlets, and other indentations, the towers and glittering white
buildings of the picturesque town at the northern end, and the lordly
castle and waving woods of Mount Edgcombe on the west.

On a bright summer morning a frigate was seen gliding slowly up the
Sound, and making her way towards Hamoaze. The French flag under that