were they, that the
"Pallas" could scarcely have escaped from her pursuers, had not a sloop
of war hove in sight and taken her in tow. The enemy's frigates,
disappointed of their expected prey, returned to their anchorage.

"We must be back there some day, Morton, for if life and strength is
allowed me, I will not rest till I have carried out my plan for the
destruction of this remainder of the Frenchman's fleet." Lord Claymore
spoke, and faithfully he kept his word.

When the frigate rejoined the admiral she was found to be in so
shattered a condition from her engagement with the Frenchman, that he
sent her home to undergo repairs.

Morton was once more in England. He found a letter from his father,
saying that the "Lion" had not yet received orders to return home, but
he hoped that she soon would. He added, that this trip had satisfied
him; that if he was allowed once more to set foot on British ground he
had determined to take up his abode on shore, and that what with the
prize-money he had made, and the produce of his farm in Shetland, he
should be able to live on shore in a style suited to the rank his son
had gained, so that he should have a home to offer him whenever he was
not employed. This was satisfactory news to Ronald. Curiously enough,
his father did not once allude to Doull or Eagleshay. He seemed to have
forgotten all about the mystery of his birth, and that it might possibly
by their means be cleared up. The truth was, that he had always been
contented with his lot. He saw his son in the fair way of rising in his
profession, and he fancied that no advantage would be gained by
ascertaining the truth, even if it were possible to do so.

Soon after the letters had been brought on board, Glover came into
Ronald's cabin.

"Here, Morton, is news which will interest you!" he said, showing an
open letter. "It is from my cousin, Mrs Edmonstone--she and her
husband are in England; they arrived some time ago. She tells me that
they made the voyage with the Armytage family; Miss Armytage still
unmarried, her mamma as amiable as ever, and the colonel as much the
reverse as before; he is supposed to have gained very little advantage
by his visit to India; his extravagance and love of play have ruined
him: however, he has interest in high quarters, and soon after his
return home, he got an appointment in the army in the Peninsula, and he
has gone out there with his wife and daughter. In what part of P