slack-water; or, rather, the ebb is just beginning to
make."

"Go on deck, my lord, and see if the Dover has hove in any upon her
larboard bower, so as to bring her more on our quarter."

"Ay-ay-sir," and this cadet of one of the most illustrious houses of
England, skipped up the ladder to ascertain this fact.

In the mean while, Bluewater stretched out an arm, drew a curtain from
before his little window, fumbled for some time among his clothes before
he got his spectacles, and then opened the note. This early epistle was
couched in the following words--

"DEAR BLUE:--

"I write this in a bed big enough to ware a ninety in. I've been
athwart ships half the night, without knowing it. Galleygo has just
been in to report 'our fleet' all well, and the ships riding flood.
It seems there is a good look-out from the top of the house, where
part of the roads are visible. Magrath, and the rest of them, have
been at poor Sir Wycherly all night. I learn, but he remains down
by the head, yet. I am afraid the good old man will never be in
trim again. I shall remain here, until something is decided; and as
we cannot expect our orders until next day after to-morrow, at the
soonest, one might as well be here, as on board. Come ashore and
breakfast with us; when we can consult about the propriety of
remaining, or of abandoning the wreck. Adieu,

"OAKES.
"REAR-ADMIRAL BLUEWATER.

"P.S.--There was a little occurrence last night, connected with Sir
Thomas Wycherly's will, that makes me particularly anxious to see
you, as early as possible, this morning.

"O."

Sir Gervaise, like a woman, had written his mind in his postscript. The
scene of the previous night had forcibly presented itself to his
recollection on awakening, and calling for his writing-desk, he had sent
off this note, at the dawn of day, with the wish of having as many
important witnesses as he could well obtain, at the interview he
intended to demand, at the earliest practicable hour.

"What the deuce can Oakes have to do with Sir Wycherly Wychecombe's
will?" thought the rear-admiral. "By the way, that puts me in mind of my
own; and of my own recent determination. What are my poor L30,000 to a
man with the fortune of Lord Bluewater. Having neither a wife nor child,
brother nor sister of my own, I'll do what I please with my money. Oakes
_won't_ have it; besides, he's