ince was in banishment;
though _you_ and _I_ might not feel disposed to allow it."

Sir Gervaise started, and cast a quick, suspicious glance at the
speaker; but there the latter stood, with as open and guileless an
expression on his handsome features, as was ever seen in the countenance
of confiding sixteen.

"Your supposititious case is no parallel," returned the vice-admiral,
losing every shade of suspicion, at this appearance of careless
frankness; "since men often follow their feelings in their allegiance,
while the law is supposed to be governed by reason and justice. But, now
we are on the subject, will you tell me. Sir Reginald, if you also know
what a _nullus_ is?"

"I have no farther knowledge of the subject, Sir Gervaise," returned the
other, smiling, this time, quite naturally; "than is to be found in the
Latin dictionaries and grammars."

"Ay--you mean _nullus, nulla, nullum_. Even we sailors know _that_;
as we all go to school before we go to sea. But, Sir Wycherly, in
efforts to make himself understood, called you a 'half-blood.'"

"And quite correctly--I admit such to be the fact; and that I have no
more _legal_ claim, whatever on this estate, than you have yourself. My
_moral_ right, however, may be somewhat better."

"It is much to your credit, that you so frankly admit it, Sir Reginald;
for, hang me, if I think even the judges would dream of raising such an
objection to your succeeding, unless reminded of it."

"Therein you do them injustice, Sir Gervaise; as it is their duty to
administer the laws, let them be what they may."

"Perhaps you are right, sir. But the reason for my asking what a
_nullus_ is, was the circumstance that Sir Wycherly, in the course of
his efforts to speak, repeatedly called his nephew and heir, Mr. Thomas
Wychecombe, by that epithet."

"Did he, indeed?--Was the epithet, as you well term it, _filius
nullius_?"

"I rather think it was _nullus_--though I do believe the word _filius_
was muttered, once or twice, also."

"Yes, sir, this has been the case; and I am not sorry Sir Wycherly is
aware of the fact, as I hear that the young man affects to consider
himself in a different point of view. A _filius nullius_ is the legal
term for a bastard--the 'son of nobody,' as you will at once understand.
I am fully aware that such is the unfortunate predicament of Mr. Thomas
Wychecombe, whose father, I possess complete evidence to show, was never
married to his mother."

"