Introductions were scarcely necessary, the uniform and star--for in that age officers usually appeared in their robes--the uniform and star of Sir Gervaise at once proclaiming his rank and name; while, between Sir Reginald and Bluewater there existed a slight personal acquaintance, which had grown out of their covert, but deep, Jacobite sympathies.
"Sir Gervaise Oakes," and "Sir Reginald Wychecombe," passed between the gentlemen, with a hearty shake of the hand from the admiral, which was met by a cold touch of the fingers on the part of the other, that might very well have passed for the great model of the sophisticated manipulation of the modern salute, but which, in fact, was the result of temperament rather than of fashion.

As soon as this ceremony was gone through, and a few brief expressions of courtesy were exchanged, the new comer turned to Bluewater, with an air of greater freedom, and continued-- "And you, too, Sir Richard Bluewater! I rejoice to meet an acquaintance in this melancholy scene." "I am happy to see you, Sir Reginald; though you have conferred on me a title to which I have no proper claim." "No!--the papers tell us that you have received one of the lately vacant red ribands ?" "I believe some such honour has been in contemplation--" "Contemplation!--I do assure you, sir, your name is fairly and distinctly gazetted--as, by sending to my carriage, it will be in my power to show you.

I am, then, the first to call you Sir Richard." "Excuse me, Sir Reginald--there is some little misapprehension in this matter; I prefer to remain plain Rear-Admiral Bluewater.

In due season, all will be explained." The parties exchanged looks, which, in times like those in which they lived, were sufficiently intelligible to both; and the conversation was instantly changed.

Before Sir Reginald relinquished the hand he held, however, he gave it a cordial squeeze, an intimation that was returned by a warm pressure from Bluewater.