arrival at Canada, you
can dispense with his presence on board of this vessel. My reason for
making this observation is, that no chance should ever be thrown away.
One of my lieutenants wishes to leave the ship on family concerns. He
has applied to me, and I have considered it my duty to refuse him, now
that we are on the point of sailing, and I am unable to procure another.
But for your son's sake, I will now permit him to go, and will, if you
will allow him to come on board of the _Portsmouth_, give Alfred an
acting lieutenant's order. Should anything occur on the passage out,
and it is not at all impossible, it will insure his promotion; even if
nothing occurs, I will have his acting order confirmed. At Quebec, he
shall, of course, leave the ship, and go with you. I don't pretend to
detain him from his duty; but you will observe, that if he does obtain
his rank, he will also obtain his half-pay, which, if he remains in
Canada with you, will be a great assistance; and if things should turn
out so well, that you can, after a year or two, do without him, and
allow him to return to the service, he will then have already gained the
most important step, and will, I have no doubt, soon rise to the command
of a ship. I will give you till to-morrow to decide. Alfred can come
on board in the morning, and let me know."

"I think I may say, Captain Lumley," replied Mrs Campbell, "that my
husband could have but one reason in hesitating a moment, and that is,
to ascertain whether I would like to part with my son during our passage
out. I should, indeed, be a very weak woman, if I did not make such a
trifling sacrifice for his benefit, and at the same time, feel most
grateful to you for your kind intentions towards him. I rather think
that Mr Campbell will not find it necessary to have till to-morrow
morning to consider the proposal; but I leave him to answer for
himself."

"I can assure you. Captain Lumley, that Mrs Campbell has only
expressed my own feelings, and, as far as we are concerned, your offer
is most gratefully accepted."

"Then," replied Captain Lumley, "Alfred has only to make his appearance
on board of the _Portsmouth_ to-morrow morning, and he will find his
acting order ready for him. We sail, I believe, the day after, if the
weather is at all favourable; so, if I have not another opportunity to
pay my respects to you, you must allow me to say farewell now. I shall
keep my eye upon your vessel during