derstand the marquis's wishes.

Voules, who had been present during the discussion, was far from
satisfied with the doctor's decision. He had hoped that the injury Lord
Reginald had received would serve him as an excuse for remaining until
the frigate was on the point of sailing, as he himself was in no hurry
to leave Elverston Hall.

The marquis, however, had observed his attentions to Lady Julia, and
although he gave his daughter credit for discretion, he thought it was
as well to send the young gentleman away. Having a pretty good
knowledge of the world, he had taken the measure of Toady Voules more
accurately than his son had done, and had seen through him. When Lord
Reginald, faithful to his promise, had begged his father to use his
influence at the Admiralty to get Voules promoted, the marquis replied
that he should be happy to serve any friend of his, but for certain
reasons he could make no promise, and that he must know more about the
young gentleman before he could recommend him to their lordships.

"But he is really a capital fellow," said Lord Reginald. "He sticks
like a leech to me, and I can always depend upon him."

"Leeches suck blood," answered the marquis, laughing. "I don't think
you have well considered the simile."

"I mean that he is always ready at hand when I want him to do anything I
require," answered Lord Reginald. "He is the most convenient fellow I
ever met."

"Well, well, I will remember your wishes," said the marquis.

Lord Reginald saw that he must not press the point further. Voules
looked very melancholy at the thought of leaving Elverston. He was in
an especially bad humour too, for though Lady Julia treated him as she
had always done, he began to suspect that he had made no great way in
her good graces. The utter indifference she showed when he talked of
going away, convinced him of this, and although to the last the family
treated him, as Lord Reginald's friend, with the utmost kindness, no one
expressed the hope that they might soon again have the pleasure of
seeing him.

A couple of days having passed, the midshipmen were ready to obey the
order to rejoin their ship. A Yarmouth pilot vessel having been engaged
to convey them to Portsmouth, they set sail in her from Keyhaven.
Taking a favourable tide, with a fair wind, they might easily get there
in six hours, whereas the journey by land would have occupied nearly a
couple of days. The crew of the pilot vessel, a