strictly bear my
address," returned the other, coldly.

"As I'll be sworn this does. But hand it to me, since you are so
scrupulous, and I will do that small service for you."

As this was said, Sir Gervaise tore aside the seals; and, as he
proceeded rather summarily, a red riband was soon uncased and fell upon
the carpet. The other usual insignia of the Bath made their appearance,
and a letter was found among them, to explain the meaning of all. Every
thing was in due form, and went to acquaint Rear-Admiral Bluewater, that
His Majesty had been graciously pleased to confer on him one of the
vacant red ribands of the day, as a reward for his eminent services on
different occasions. There was even a short communication from the
premier, expressing the great satisfaction of the ministry in thus being
able to second the royal pleasure with hearty good will.

"Well, what do you think of that, Richard Bluewater?" asked Sir
Gervaise, triumphantly. "Did I not always tell you, that sooner or
later, it _must_ come?"

"It has come too late, then," coldly returned the other, laying the
riband, jewels, and letters, quietly on the table. "This is an honour, I
can receive, _now_, only from my rightful prince. None other can legally
create a knight of the Bath."

"And pray, Mr. Richard Bluewater, who made you a captain, a commander, a
rear-admiral? Do you believe me an impostor, because I wear this riband
on authority no better than that of the house of Hanover? Am I, or am I
not, in your judgment, a vice-admiral of the red?"

"I make a great distinction, Oakes, between rank in the navy, and a mere
personal dignity. In the one case, you serve your country, and give
quite as much as you receive; whereas, in the other, it is a grace to
confer consideration on the person honoured, without such an equivalent
as can find an apology for accepting a rank illegally conferred."

"The devil take your distinctions, which would unsettle every thing, and
render the service a Babel. If I am a vice-admiral of the red, I am a
knight of the Bath; and, if you are a rear-admiral of the white, you are
also a knight of that honourable order. All comes from the same source
of authority, and the same fountain of honour."

"I do not view it thus. Our commissions are from the admiralty, which
represents the country; but dignities come from the prince who happens
to reign, let _his_ title be what it may."

"Do you happen to think Richard III. a usurp