be attended to, and enable you to command whatever may be
necessary for your comfort. Pride might induce you to reject this
offer; but remember it is Eugenia that offers: and if you love her as
she thinks you do, you will accept it from her."

Here was mystery and paradox in copious confusion. "Obliged by
circumstances to leave me--to conceal the place of her retirement"--yet
commanding not only pecuniary resources for herself, but offering me any
sum I might require! I retired to my bed; but sleep forsook me, nor did
I want it. I had too much to think of, and no clue to solve my doubts.
I prayed to Heaven for her welfare, vowed eternal constancy and at
length fell asleep. The next morning I took leave of my quondam
associates, and returned to Portsmouth, neither wishing to see my
father, my family, or even the sweet Emily. It however occurred to me
that the same agent who could advance money could forward a letter; and
a letter I wrote, expressing all I felt. No answer was returned; but as
the letter never came back, I was convinced it was received, and
occasionally sent others, the contents of which my readers will, no
doubt, feel obliged to me for suppressing, love-letters being of all
things in the world the most stupid, except to the parties concerned.

As I was not to see my Eugenia, I was delighted to hear that we were
again to be sent on active service. The Scheldt expedition was
preparing, and our frigate was to be in the advance; but our gallant and
favourite captain was not to go with us; an acting captain was
appointed, and every exertion was used to have the ship ready. The town
in the mean time was as crowded with soldiers as Spithead and the
harbour was with transports. Late in July we sailed, having two
gunboats in tow, which we were ordered to man. I applied for and
obtained the command of one of them, quite certain that I should see
more service, and consequently have more amusement, than if I remained
on board the frigate. We convoyed forty or fifty transports, containing
the cavalry, and brought them all safe to an anchor off Cadsand.

The weather was fine, and the water smooth; not a moment was lost in
disembarking the troops and horses; and I do not recollect ever having
seen, either before or since, a more pleasing sight. The men were first
on shore with their saddles and bridles: the horses were then lowered
into the water in running slings, which were slipped clear off them i