ne _that_ twice already, and can do it a
third time, at need. But one can't very well refuse promotion in his
regular profession; and, here, just as a true gentleman would depend on
the principles of an officer, the hackneyed consciences of your
courtiers have suggested the expediency of making Gervaise Oakes an
admiral of the blue, by way of sop!--me, who was made vice-admiral of
the red, only six months since, and who take an honest pride in boasting
that every commission, from the lowest to the highest, has been fairly
earned in battle!"

"They think it a more delicate service, perhaps, for a gentleman to be
true to the reigning house, when so loud an appeal is made to his
natural loyalty; and therefore class the self-conquest with a victory at
sea!"

"They are so many court-lubbers, and I should like to have an
opportunity of speaking my mind to them. I'll not take the new
commission; for every one must see, Dick, that it is a sop."

"Ay, that's just my notion, too, about the red riband; and I'll not take
_that_. You have had the riband these ten years, have declined the
peerage twice, and their only chance is the promotion. Take it you
ought, and must, however, as it will be the means of pushing on some
four or five poor devils, who have been wedged up to honours, in this
manner, ever since they were captains. I am glad they do not talk of
promoting _me_, for I should hardly know how to refuse such a grace.
There is great virtue in parchment, with all us military men."

"Still it must be parchment fairly won. I think you are wrong,
notwithstanding, Bluewater, in talking of refusing the riband, which is
so justly your due, for a dozen different acts. There is not a man in
the service, who has been less rewarded for what he has done, than
yourself."

"I am sorry to hear you give this as your opinion; for just at this
moment, I would rather think that I have no cause of complaint, in this
way, against the reigning family, or its ministers. I'm sure I was
posted when quite a young man, and since that time, no one has been
lifted over my head."

The vice-admiral looked intently at his friend; for never before had he
detected a feeling which betrayed, as he fancied, so settled a
determination in him to quit the service of the powers that were.
Acquainted from boyhood with all the workings of the other's mind, he
perceived that the rear-admiral had been endeavouring to persuade
himself that no selfish or unworthy