n he left the room, which might have given her an idea as to
his rank, but she found herself sitting next to him at dinner. Her
father was opposite, and appeared to be much interested in his
conversation. According to the good old custom, the admiral drank wine
round with all his guests. "Mr Ripley, will you take wine?" he said,
addressing her companion in his kind friendly tone. She started, and
she felt the blood rush to her cheeks. She had not recovered from her
confusion before the ceremony of wine-taking was over, and the old
gentleman again addressed her. Could he be the father of Pearce? She
had always understood that his father was a boatswain, and this old
gentleman could not be that, or he would scarcely have been dining at
the admiral's table. Her father would make the inquiry probably of the
admiral; if not, she must try to muster courage to do so. In the mean
time she would ask her companion if he knew Sir Pearce Ripley. In a low
and somewhat trembling voice she put the question.

"Indeed I do, young lady, and am proud to own him as my son," answered
the old seaman, fixing his clear grey eyes on her, as if he would read
her heart. "I have a hope that you know him too, and that no two people
love him better in the world," he added in a whisper.

Alice felt her cheeks glow, and yet she was not annoyed. "Indeed you
are right," she said, in a low tone, which she hoped no one else would
hear, for several people were speaking loudly, and there was a clatter
of knives and forks.

"He will be in England again soon to refit, for he has allowed his
frigate very little rest since he commanded her," observed the old
gentleman. "He, I hope too, will then get a spell at home, for since he
went to sea at ten years of age, he has never once been ten days on
shore at a time, ay, I may say, not a month altogether."

Alice whispered her hope that he would remain on shore. After retiring
to the drawing-room she looked anxiously for the arrival of the
gentlemen. Her father and Mr Ripley entered together. The general
soon came and sat down by her.

"A very agreeable old naval officer that is we've been talking to," he
remarked; "I did not catch his name, but the admiral tells me that he is
a master in the service."

Alice was pleased to hear this, but much puzzled. She managed to speak
to the admiral when no one was near. He put on a quizzical look. "Now,
young lady, if you had been inquiring about Sir P