ation as he proceeded increased; he, however, at length
came to a decision, and Herr Groben returned on shore, saying that he
should expect to see him the next day.

When Jack, who had gone on board the _Gleam_ to see Adair, just on the
point of sailing for England, returned to his own ship, Higson begged to
have a few minutes' talk with him. Jack, of course, granted it, and,
begging him to come into his cabin, sat down to listen to what he had to
say.

"We have been shipmates a good many years, Commander Rogers, and I am
going to ask a favour of you," he began. "You know how I fell in love
with a young lady in Russia, and she has fallen desperately in love with
me, it seems. I don't say it as a boast, and cannot account for it,
and, what is more, her mother sends me word that she is dying for fear I
should go away and forget her, or, at all events, not come back again.
Now, I have no thoughts of doing anything of the sort; though the young
lady may believe what I will write to her, I would rather give her
practical evidence of my affection by paying her a visit at once. I
could be there and back in a week or ten days, and if you could manage
to give me leave for that period, I would run over and see them, and I
trust that neither the service nor the ship will suffer from my
absence."

Jack reflected on the request made to him, and considering that Higson
merited all the favour he could grant at his hands, and that the duty of
the ship could be carried on in the meantime, gave him the leave he
asked. Higson expressed himself very thankful, and set about making
arrangements for his intended journey.

Scarcely had Higson left the cabin when Tom entered, and begged to have
a few minutes' conversation with his brother.

"What is it?" asked Jack.

Tom went into the whole story of the kind treatment he had received from
the family of Colonel Paskiewich; "And you must know," he continued,
"that I fell in love with Miss Feodorowna, and promised to go back and
marry her as soon as the war was over."

"Really, Tom, I hope with the proviso that you should obtain the
permission of Sir John," remarked Jack.

"I don't know about provisionally," answered Tom; "I promised to go back
and marry her as soon as peace was settled; and as you wouldn't wish me
to break my promise, I hope you will give me permission to do so at
once."

Jack burst into a loud fit of laughter.

"I'll tell you what, Tom, I am much more likely to