up out of the water, how amply you would return the service I
did you."

"I certainly did not expect in any way to be able to repay it," said
Rayner, "or, to say the truth, to feel the regard for Frenchmen which I
do for you and your son."

Rayner found Mrs Crofton and her daughter seated in the drawing-room.
After the first greetings were over, and he had introduced Captain
Turgot, he inquired after Pierre, expecting, through not seeing him,
that he was still unable to leave his room.

"He has gone out for a short walk, as the doctor tells him to be in the
fresh air as much as possible, and he is well able to get along with the
help of a stick," answered Mrs Crofton. "I hope his father has not
come to take him away, for we shall be very sorry to lose him?"

"I don't know whether he will be allowed to go without being exchanged,"
answered Rayner; and he gave an account of the wreck of the _Zenobie_
and the arrangement which had been made for sending the survivors of her
crew back to France.

"That is very kind and generous of our good king. No wonder that his
soldiers and sailors are so ready to fight for him," remarked Mrs
Crofton.

While they were speaking, Pierre entered the house. His joy at seeing
his father almost overcame him. They threw themselves into each other's
arms and embraced as Frenchmen are accustomed to embrace--somewhat, it
must be confessed, to Mary's amusement. After they had become more
tranquil they sat down and talked away at such a rate that even Rayner
could scarcely understand what they were saying. He meantime had a
pleasant conversation with Mary and her mother, for he had plenty to
tell them, and they evidently liked to listen to him.

After some time, during a pause in the conversation, Captain Turgot
desired Pierre to tell Mrs Crofton and her daughter how grateful he
felt for their kindness, his own knowledge of English being insufficient
to express his wishes.

They, hearing him, replied in French, and soon the whole party was
talking away in that language, though Mary's French, it must be
admitted, was not of a very choice description; but she laughed at her
own mistakes, and Rayner helped her out when she was in want of a word.

The afternoon passed pleasantly away, and Rayner, looking at his watch,
was sorry to find it was time to return. He told Pierre that he must
report his state to the Captain and Mr Saltwell, who would decide what
he was to do.

Captain Turgot