it, and it is but natural that his father the marquis should
get him promoted as soon as he was eligible. As a friend of mine, I
cannot allow him to be spoken of disrespectfully."

There was a general laugh at this remark.

"Faith! an' who's speakin' disrespectfully of him?" asked Paddy Logan.
"Sure, we're only saying that he's inclined to give the cold shoulder to
those he looks upon as his inferiors in rank. And the belief is,
Voules, that he's going to throw you overboard, notwithstanding all the
court you paid him."

"I say I never did pay him court," said Voules, emphatically. "He did
me the honour to select me as his friend, and I fully believe that he
intends to treat me as a friend in future."

"`The proof of the pudding is in the eating!'" answered Paddy. "As I
said, Voules, to show his affection, I have no doubt he'll make you dry
nurse to that pup of his. Faith! what an honour it will be!"

At this last remark, Voules was nearly boiling over with rage, but just
then, as the whole mess was against him, he saw that it would not do to
give away to his feelings, and Paddy Logan continued--

"When you last accompanied Oswald--I mane his lordship--to Elverston
Hall, you thought instead of joining us again, you would have got your
promotion, as you always boasted that the marquis had promised to obtain
it for you."

"I boasted of no such thing!" cried Voules, scarcely able longer to
restrain himself. "I merely said that the marquis had promised to give
me his interest as soon as his son had been promoted. Before many
months are over, I expect to get my step and be appointed to some ship
on the East Indian station."

As may be supposed, his messmates watched him whenever he was speaking
to Lord Reginald, to observe the terms he was on. Voules was evidently
himself not very confident about the matter. Instead of taking his arm
and walking up and down the quarter-deck, on the larboard or lee side,
as he had been accustomed to do, he approached the lieutenant with the
usual mark of respect shown by an inferior to a superior officer, always
addressing him as "My lord," and looking highly pleased on all occasions
when spoken to. It was asserted in the berth that there must have been
some difference between them, or that Voules had offended the young
lord, but what it was no one could exactly tell. However, by his humble
conduct, Voules won his way back into the good graces of Lord Reginald,
who did not