Linda said one little word of affectionate encouragement, but it produced no apparent return from Alaric.
His immediate object was to recover Mrs.Woodward's good graces; and he thought before he went that he had reason to hope that he might do so.
Of all the household, Captain Cuttwater was the most emphatic in his congratulations.

'He had no doubt,' he said, 'that the best man had won.

He had always hoped that the best man might win.

He had not had the same luck when he was young, but he was very glad to see such an excellent rule brought into the service.

It would soon work great changes, he was quite sure, at the Board of Admiralty.' On the Sunday afternoon Captain Cuttwater asked him into his own bedroom, and told him with a solemn, serious manner that he had a communication of importance to make to him.