remarked, as he was overlooking a new navy list, just sent in from the
library--

"I had no idea that Murray was so near his flag. I see that Sir
Benjamin Blowhard, old Grummet, poor Marlin, and Kelson, Lord Figgins,
as we used to call him, Dick Dotheboys, and Oakum, have gone the way of
all flesh. I saw by yesterday's paper that Bulkhead had died in the
West Indies, and two other captains senior to Murray are very ill."

"I shall rejoice at Murray's promotion," said Jack; "there is no man
better suited to command a fleet."

"I cannot say that I wish for such a responsibility," observed Adair,
"nor am I in any special hurry to become an admiral, though Lucy may
think it a very fine thing, especially if I am made a KCB, of which,
however, there is not the slightest probability. I'm much more likely
to be kicked off to sea and sent to the East Indies or West Coast of
Africa to sun myself."

While this conversation was going forward, two long official-looking
letters were received. Julia and Lucy looked at them suspiciously.

"Those very affectionate gentlemen, the Lords of the Admiralty, request
that I will do them the favour of taking command of the _Bellona_,
Murray's old ship," said Jack; "but whether to serve on the home station
or to go out to the Antipodes they do not explain."

He handed the letter to his wife, who put her hand to her heart, as if
she felt a sudden pain there.

"Oh, Jack, I did not think they would send you off again!" she said,
with a deep sigh.

"And what is your despatch about?" asked Lucy, in a trembling voice.

"Of the same tenor as Jack's. Those dear old fellows offer me the
command of the _Empress_, but leave me as much in the dark as Jack is as
to where I am to go."

Lucy always behaved better than her sister-in-law on such occasions,
although she certainly did not love her husband a bit the less.

"I hope if you are sent out to a foreign station where the children and
I can live, that you will let us go too," said Lucy; "either to North
America, or the Mediterranean, or Australia, or the Cape. I'm sure it
will be one of these."

Julia was equally pressing to be allowed to go out to any part of the
world to which the _Bellona_ might be sent, but Jack would wisely make
no promises.

"Well, we must go over to-morrow or the next day to commission the old
tubs, I suppose," said Adair, laughing, as if the appointment was
anything but satisfactory, although in reality he fel