e on de sea, den ve fight like des braves hommes--n'est-ce
pas, Monsieur le Capitaine?"

"I could not desire a greater honour," answered the Jersey man. "Nor,
by my faith, could I," exclaimed the first lieutenant of the _Orestes_.

"Ah, I moche fear I remain prisonare here to do end of de war," sighed
Monsieur Vinoy; "but, ma foi, I am too happy in dis charmante ville vid
dese aimable young ladies to vish to leave. It was de fortune de la
guerre vich brought me here, and I vill not complain."

"You might certainly have been much worse off," observed Captain Dupin.
"I have no doubt you fought your ship, like a brave man, till all hope
of victory was gone."

"Ve vill not talk of dat," answered the lieutenant, turning away,
probably not quite relishing the remark, recollecting how he had been
caught napping.

Three of the officers of the city militia were next introduced to the
naval guests. Judged by their uniform, they were remarkably fine
fellows, for their coats were blue, with scarlet linings and gilt
buttons, their waistcoats and breeches being also of scarlet, and their
hats richly adorned with gold lace. They had evidently, as was natural,
a decidedly good opinion of themselves, and were somewhat inclined to
look down upon the more simply dressed tars. The first lieutenant of
the _Orestes_ eyed them askance from under his shaggy eyebrows,
apparently regarding them, for some reason or other, with no friendly
feeling. After exchanging salutations, he at once turned aside and
addressed himself to some of the civilians.

"We are expecting a king's ship every day to visit our harbour--the
_Champion_, 18-gun sloop of war, Commander Olding," observed one of the
gentlemen. "Contrary winds may have detained her, or perhaps she has
fallen in with a Frenchman; and I will venture to say, if such is the
case, that she has taken him, for the navy does not possess a more
gallant and resolute officer than my friend."

Captain Dupin involuntarily shrugged his shoulders and bowed. "I have
no doubt of the gallantry of the officers of the Royal Navy," he
observed. An opportunity occurring, he stepped back and spoke a few
words to his two lieutenants. The younger of the two looked somewhat
agitated; though the elder, whatever thoughts were passing in his mind,
retained a perfect composure. He managed to hand in Norah to dinner,
and to obtain a seat by her side. He spoke in a low voice, which once
or twice, it seemed