CHAPTER V.
1798 Nelson rejoins Earl St.Vincent in the VANGUARD--Sails in Pursuit of the French in Egypt--Returns to Sicily, and sails again to Egypt--Battle of the Nile.
EARLY in the year 1798, Sir Horatio Nelson hoisted his flag in the VANGUARD, and was ordered to rejoin Earl St.Vincent.Upon his departure, his father addressed him with that affectionate solemnity by which all his letters were distinguished.

"I trust in the Lord," said he, "that He will prosper your going out and your coming in.

I earnestly desired once more to see you, and that wish has been heard.

If I should presume to say, I hope to see you again, the question would be readily asked, How old art thou?
VALE! VALE! DOMINE, VALE!" It is said that a gloomy foreboding hung on the spirits of Lady Nelson at their parting.
This could have arisen only from the dread of losing him by the chance of war.

Any apprehension of losing his affections could hardly have existed, for all his correspondence to this time shows that he thought himself happy in his marriage; and his private character had hitherto been as spotless as his public conduct.