M.Rubempre ordered both sherry and claret, and then filled the glasses of his _vis-a-vis_ and his own.

He did not offer any to his servant, for he knew that he never touched it.
They drank claret first to each other's health.
"You are in the military, my friend ?" continued the detective.
"No, sir; I am a sailor.

Allow me to introduce myself as Captain Rombold, of the steamer Dornoch." "I am extremely happy to make your acquaintance, Captain Rombold.

To reciprocate, I am M.Rubempre, of Paris," added the Frenchman, as he filled his companion's glass, and they tippled again with an abundance of compliments.

"I presume that you are in the British navy, Captain Rombold ?" "At present I am not, though I was formerly in that service, and resigned to engage in a more lucrative occupation." "Indeed, what could be better than the position of an officer in the Royal navy ?" "I am now a commander in the navy of the Confederate States," added the captain, looking with interest into the face of his companion.