as he has done."

As the Governor made the last remark in rather a severe tone, our two
midshipmen were silent for a minute. At last Jack observed, very
quietly:

"And yet, sir, I think, considering all, I have behaved pretty well."

"You have behaved very well, my good lad, on all occasions in which your
courage and conduct, as an officer, have been called forth. I admit it;
and had you been sent to sea with a mind properly regulated, and without
such an unlimited command of money, I have no doubt but that you would
have proved an ornament to the service. Even now I think you would, if
you were to remain in the service under proper guidance and necessary
restrictions, for you have, at least, learned to obey, which is
absolutely necessary before you are fit to command. But recollect, what
would your conduct have brought upon you if you had not been under the
parental care of Captain Wilson? But let us say no more about that: a
midshipman with the prospect of eight thousand pounds a year is an
anomaly which the service cannot admit, especially when that midshipman
is resolved to take to himself a wife."

"I hope that you approve of that step, sir."

"That entirely depends upon the merit of the party, which I know nothing
of, except that she has a pretty face, and is of one of the best
Sicilian families. I think the difference of religion a ground of
objection."

"We will argue that point, sir," replied Jack.

"Perhaps it will be the cause of more argument than you think for, Mr
Easy; but every man makes his own bed, and as he makes it, so must he
lie down in it."

"What am I to do about Mesty, sir? I cannot bear the idea of parting
with him."

"I am afraid that you must; I cannot well interfere there."

"He is of little use to the service, sir; he has been sent to sick
quarters as my servant: if he may be permitted to go home with me, I
will procure his discharge as soon as I arrive, and send him on board
the guard-ship till I obtain it."

"I think that, on the whole, he is as well out of the service as in it,
and therefore I will, on consideration, take upon myself the
responsibility, provided you do as you say."

The conversation was here ended, as the Governor had business to attend
to, and Jack and Gascoigne went to their rooms to make their
arrangements.

"The Governor is right," observed Gascoigne; "it is better that we part,
Jack. You have half unfitted me for the service already; I have