and I
beg to second your lordship's proposal."

"Charge your glasses, gentlemen, and I hope, ladies, that on this
occasion you will join us," exclaimed the master of the house.

No one declining, the fair sex put out their more moderately sized
glasses to be filled as the bottle went round. The toast was drunk, the
whole party standing, with the exception of the two midshipmen, who,
with assumed modest looks, retained their places.

"And now we will give three cheers for our naval heroes," cried the old
general, making an effort to stand up on his chair, but giving it up, as
he reflected on the danger he might run of toppling over among the
dishes which still covered the board.

"Hip, hip, hip, hurrah!" and the supper-room rang with the sounds, which
were taken up by the servants outside and repeated in the hall below,
where the domestics not in waiting were making merry.

When all the guests sat down they looked at the two midshipmen, while
Reginald made signs to Voules to speak.

"You are the eldest, old fellow, and having been longest in the service,
it is your business to reply."

Voules, nothing loth, rose to his feet. His only difficulty in
commencing being the doubt whether he should address his friends as "My
lords and ladies." His tact, however, prevented him doing so, and he
contented himself by neatly expressing his thanks for the honour done to
the glorious service of which he was so humble a representative. "Had
Lord Reginald been induced to speak," he added, "he would have said more
to the purpose. My belief is, that should the war continue a few years
longer, my noble friend will be found in command of as fine a frigate as
the _Wolf_, and will outshine the deeds of his predecessors. Should I
be so fortunate as to have reached the rank of lieutenant by that time,
I hope that it will be my privilege to serve under him."

Voules's modest remark in reference to himself drew forth, as he
intended it should, a reply from his host, who assured him that any
interest he possessed should be exerted to obtain for him the promotion
he deserved, and that he hoped to see him a post-captain as soon as his
son had obtained that rank.

"Thank you, my lord, thank you!" exclaimed Voules, highly delighted.
"Your lordship will allow me to remind you of your promise, whenever
Lord Reginald obtains a step in rank. I do not aspire to be promoted
before him, and shall be glad to serve in any ship to which he is