s Percival Keene.

CHAPTER TWO.

There is no security in this world. A dissolution of Parliament took
place, and on the following election the Honourable Captain Delmar's
constituents, not being exactly pleased at the total indifference which
he had shown to their interests, took upon themselves to elect another
member in his stead, who, as Captain Delmar had previously done,
promised everything, and in all probability would follow the honourable
captain's example by performing nothing. The loss of his election was
followed up by the loss of his ship, his majesty's government not
considering it necessary that Captain Delmar (now that he had leisure to
attend to his professional duties) should retain his command. The
frigate, therefore, was paid off, and recommissioned by another captain
who had friends in Parliament.

As Ben Keene belonged to the marine corps, he could not, of course,
remain as valet to Captain Delmar, but was ordered, with the rest of the
detachment, to the barracks at Chatham; my mother, although she was
determined that she would not live at barracks, was not sorry to leave
the Hall, where she could not fail to perceive that she was, from her
imprudent conduct, no longer treated with the respect or cordiality to
which she had been previously accustomed. She was most anxious to quit
a place in which her disgrace was so well known; and Captain Delmar
having given her his advice, which coincided with her own ideas, and
also a very munificent present to enable her to set up housekeeping,
took his departure from the Hall. My mother returned to her room as the
wheels of his carriage rattled over the gravel of the drive, and many
were the bitter tears which she shed over her unconscious boy.

The following day the Honourable Miss Delmar sent for her; as usual,
commenced with a tedious lecture, which, as before, was wound up at
parting with a handsome present. The day after my mother packed up her
trunks, and with me in her arms set off to Chatham, where we arrived
safely, and immediately went into furnished lodgings. My mother was a
clever, active woman, and the presents which she had at different times
received amounted to a considerable sum of money, over which her husband
had never ventured to assert any claim.

Indeed, I must do Ben Keene the justice to say that he had the virtue of
humility. He felt that his wife was in every way his superior and that
it was only under peculiar circumst