As a matter of fact, my moral sufferings during the engagement had rivalled those of Mr.Sebright; I was left incapable of fresh hostilities; I owned that the navy of old England was (for me) invincible as of yore; and giving up all thought of the doctor, inclined to salute her veteran flag, in the future, from a prudent distance.

Such was my inclination, when I retired to rest; and my first experience the next morning strengthened it to certainty.

For I had the pleasure of encountering my fair antagonist on his way on board; and he honoured me with a recognition so disgustingly dry, that my impatience overflowed, and (recalling the tactics of Nelson) I neglected to perceive or to return it.
Judge of my astonishment, some half-hour later, to receive a note of invitation from the Tempest.
"Dear Sir," it began, "we are all naturally very much interested in the wreck of the Flying Scud, and as soon as I mentioned that I had the pleasure of making your acquaintance, a very general wish was expressed that you would come and dine on board.

It will give us all the greatest pleasure to see you to-night, or in case you should be otherwise engaged, to luncheon either to-morrow or to-day." A note of the hours followed, and the document wound up with the name of "J.

Lascelles Sebright," under an undeniable statement that he was sincerely mine.
"No, Mr.Lascelles Sebright," I reflected, "you are not, but I begin to suspect that (like the lady in the song) you are another's.