to the encomiums passed on Gerald. They all three smiled sweetly,
with precisely the same expression, so that it would have required a
better physiognomist than was Captain Rogers to have discovered what was
passing in their innocent minds.

"I fully believe that the counsellor was disinterested in the efforts he
made to forward Desmond's cause," he thought to himself.

There was not much time for conversation before Counsellor McMahon, a
round, ruddy-faced, white-haired, bright-eyed man, accompanied by
Desmond, entered the room. He took Adair's hand in both his own and
shook it cordially, saying in a hearty tone--

"I congratulate you, my dear captain, on your nephew's success."

"Oh, don't thank me; I merely took care justice was done--that's all a
lawyer has to do, from his client's point of view at all events. We
triumphed, as I knew we should, notwithstanding the forgeries, the
falsehood, and the perjury brought in array against us. It was truly a
satisfaction to fight in the cause of your nephew, who bore his blushing
honours with so much equanimity. I believe that had he lost, he would
again have gone to sea and done his duty with as much zeal as ever.
Whether or not he will now return to tempt once more the tempest and the
waves, not to speak of round shot and bullets, is more than I can say.
I only know that if I were in his place I should stick to _terra firma_.
But I never much admired a life on the ocean wave, albeit feeling the
deepest respect for its gallant sons who hazard their lives in their
country's cause."

The lawyer ran on, scarcely allowing Jack or Adair to get in a word. At
last, however, they had an opportunity of congratulating Desmond on his
good fortune.

He spoke very sensibly, and was evidently in no way unduly elated by his
success. Jack rightly thought that he had been too busy to dream of
making love to the lawyer's fair daughters, attractive as one and all of
them were.

In a few minutes supper was announced, and Jack, as the senior officer,
handed down the lady of the house, Desmond modestly slipping behind and
refusing to move.

Mrs McMahon was affability itself, the counsellor brimful of jokes and
good humour, laughing and talking for everybody else. On hearing that
Jack and Adair had part of their families on board, he insisted that
they should come on shore, and allow his wife to show them the lions of
Dublin and its neighbourhood. "You'll not be going away withou