I shall be grievously disappointed, when this will is proved, if my name be not found somewhere in it!" "So shall I, too, my lord," drily returned Bluewater; "for, I fully expect it will appear as a witness; a character that is at once fatal to all claims as a legatee." "Well, sir, I suppose flag-officers can do pretty much as they please with their money, since they do pretty much as they please with the ships, and all in them.

I must lean so much the harder on my two old aunts, as I appear to have laid myself directly athwart-hawse of fortune, in this affair!" "Gentlemen," said the rear-admiral, with easy courtesy, "I regret it is not in my power to have your company at dinner, to-day, as I am summoned ashore by Sir Gervaise, and it is uncertain when I can get off, again; but to-morrow I shall hope to enjoy that pleasure." The officers bowed, expressed their acknowledgments, accepted the invitation, bowed once or twice more each, and left the cabin, with the exception of the midshipman.
"Well, sir," exclaimed Bluewater, a little surprised at finding he was not alone, after a minute of profound reverie; "to what request am I indebted still for the pleasure of your presence ?" "Why, sir, it's just forty miles to my father's house in Cornwall, and I know the whole family is there; so I just fancied, that by bending on two extra horses, a chaise might make the Park gates in about five hours; and by getting under way on the return passage, to-morrow about this time, the old Caesar would never miss a crazy reefer, more or less." "Very ingeniously put, young gentleman, and quite plausible.

When I was of your age, I was four years without once seeing either father or mother." "Yes, sir, but that was such a long time ago! Boys can't stand it, half as well now, as they did then, as all old people say." The rear-admiral's lips moved slightly, as if a smile struggled about his mouth; then his face suddenly lost the expression, in one approaching to sadness.
"You know, Geoffrey, I am not commander-in-chief.

Sir Gervaise alone can give a furlough." "Very true, sir; but whatever you ask of Sir Gervaise, he always does; more especially as concerns us of your flag-ship." "Perhaps that is true.

But, my boy, we live in serious times, and we may sail at an hour's notice.