ncy.

"It can't be helped, Ned," said Lieutenant Pack, in a tone which showed
how disheartened he was, although he did not intend to exhibit his
feelings. "Cheer up, we must not be cast down, we'll still hope that
something will turn up. In the meantime we'll try and be as happy as we
can. Aunt Sally and Mary are not tired of you, nor am I, my boy. It's
only because I know that you wish to be doing something, and that you
are right in your wishes, that I regret this delay."

Mary, though sympathising with Ned, could not from her heart say that
she was sorry. For the last two days she had been expecting to hear
that he would have to go off immediately.

Next morning the postman was seen coming up to the door with an
official-looking letter in his hand, and another of ordinary appearance;
Ned ran out to receive them. The first was addressed to Lieutenant
Pack, R.N. He opened it with far more agitation than he was wont to
exhibit. His countenance brightened.

"Ned, my boy!" he exclaimed, "this letter has reference to you. My
Lords do recognise my services--it is gratifying, very gratifying--and
they have nominated you as a volunteer of the first class to Her
Majesty's ship `Ione,' Commander Curtis, now fitting out at Portsmouth;
the very ship of which Hanson is to be first lieutenant. This is
fortunate. If he has not started, I'll get him to take you to
Portsmouth, and arrange your outfit. He'll do it, I am sure, and will
stand your friend if you do your duty; I know that you will do that, and
become an honour to the service, as your father would have been had he
lived."

Suddenly a thought seemed to strike the lieutenant. He had forgotten a
very important matter--the difficulty of obtaining the required funds.
The balance at his banker's would not meet the expenses to which he
himself must be put, even although the commander might not insist on the
usual allowance made to midshipmen. He was silent, thinking of what
could be done, and overlooking the envelope which lay on the table
beneath the official dispatch.

"Surely there was another letter," remarked Aunt Sally. "I wonder who
it can come from?"

"Bless me! so there is," said the lieutenant, glad to have for a moment
another occupation for his thoughts. He examined the address, and then
the coat of arms on the seal, before breaking it open, which he did
deliberately, as if he did not expect to find anything of interest
within. His countenance