where Lady Cochrane was sitting, while
her two children, of four and five years old, were playing about.

"My dear," he said, "this is Lieutenant Embleton, whom you have heard me
speak of a score of times as a most gallant officer, and a most ill-used
man. This is his son, who is, you know, going out with us as my
flag-midshipman; he has been eighteen months in the Indian Archipelago.
And let me tell you, the Malays are much more serious foes than the
Spaniards. You know, youngster, one of the chief duties of an admiral's
midshipman is to make himself agreeable to the admiral's wife and family,
if there are such incumbrances. He goes errands for her, attends her when
she goes shopping, is a sort of head nurse to the children, and in our
service he is generally nicknamed the admiral's poodle. However, as soon
as I get out there, I hope to find more attractive work for you, and until
I do, I am sure my wife and the children will be glad they have someone
with them to speak English."

"I shall be very glad to be of any service I can," Stephen said earnestly.

"I am afraid," Lady Cochrane said with a smile, "that we shall have very
little opportunity of availing ourselves of your services. When we once
get out there you will be carried off by Lord Cochrane, and he will never
set foot on shore again unless when absolutely driven to it."

"Is your time for sailing fixed yet, Lord Cochrane?" the lieutenant asked.

"We shall sail on the 15th of August from Boulogne, so that your son will
have three weeks to make his preparations."

"Three days would be sufficient," Embleton said, with a smile. "Naval
outfitters are not so busy as they used to be, and would furnish an
admiral's kit, if necessary, in that time. Is there any particular
uniform, sir?"

"No, it is something like our own; and if you rig him out in an ordinary
midshipman's uniform that will be good enough. Thank goodness, this weary
waiting is over. It is now fourteen months since I accepted the offer of
the Chilian government sent me by their agent, Don Jose Alvarez. I was to
put off my departure so as to look after the building and equipment of a
war steamer for the service, but there have been incessant delays owing to
want of money. It has been enough to madden one; and, after all, I have to
go without her and we sail in the _Rose_. She is one of the sloops sold
out of the navy, and is now a merchantman. I daresay they would have kept
me dawdling about here