was such a person."

"Very probably, sir; but I have long known it, and so did Admiral De
Courcy, as you will perceive when you read his will, which is in my
possession, as guardian to the child--and upon the strength of which
office I have put seals upon the property."

The parties looked aghast.

"We must inquire into this," replied the legal adviser, for such he was.

"I am ready to give you any information you may require," replied the
vicar. "I have here copies of the marriage certificate of the parents,
and the register of baptism of the child, the originals of which you
will find in the parish church of ---, not five miles distant; and I can
most satisfactorily prove his identity, should that be necessary."

"And where is the grandchild?"

"At sea, on board a man-of-war, at the dying request of his father, who
determined that he should be brought up for the service. Would you like
to see the late admiral's will?"

The tall gentleman bowed assent, and it was read. Having been carefully
examined by the lawyer, as well as the other documents in the vicar's
possession, all appeared so clear and conclusive, that he unwillingly
acknowledged to his employer, in a whisper, that there was no chance of
setting the will aside. Pallid with the revulsion of feelings from hope
to despair, the pretender to the estates ordered the horses to be
brought out, and, on their being announced, with a slight bow to the
vicar, retired from the library.

But outside, the state of affairs was altered, by the servants having
overheard the conversation. No one was attentive enough to open the
door to let out those whom they had so obsequiously admitted: and one of
the postilions was obliged to dismount, to shut up the chaise after they
had entered it. Such is the deference shown respectively to those who
are, or are not, the real heirs-at-law.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN.

On deck five hundred men did dance,
The stoutest they could find in France.
We with two hundred did advance,
On board of the _Arethusa_.

Our captain hailed the Frenchman "ho!"
The Frenchman then cried out "hallo!"
"Bear down, d'ye see,
To our admiral's lee."

"No, no," says the Frenchman, "that can't be;"
"Then I must lug you along with me,"
Says the saucy _Arethusa_.
SEA SONG.

The information received from McElvina, which induced Captain M--- not
to anchor, was relative to a French frigate of the largest class, that
he had gr