Percival Keene

by Frederick Marryat

  CHAPTER THIRTY ONE.

  The Circe, thirty-two, to which I had been appointed, was a small butvery beautiful frigate and as far as I could judge by her build as shelay on the stocks, had every requisite for sailing well.

  When I took my leave of Lord de Versely, he told me that he should comedown on the first of the following month (September) to Madeline Hall,where his aunt, Miss de Versely, was still flourishing at a green oldage. "Here is a letter of introduction to her, Keene," said he, "as shehas not seen you since you were a few months old, and therefore it isnot very likely that she would recognise you. Take my advice, and makeyourself as agreeable to the old lady as you can; you will find MadelineHall a very pleasant place, when you are tired of the dockyard and thesmell of pitch and tar."

  I thanked his lordship, and we parted with much more cordiality shown byhim than I had experienced.

  I hardly need say, that the first person who came to congratulate me onmy arrival at Portsmouth was my old friend an adviser Bob Cross. "Well,Captain Keene," said Bob, as I shook him warmly by the hand, "I'mdelighted at your success, and I know you will not be sorry to hear thatI am getting on as well as I could wish in my small way; Jane and I areto be married in a few days, and I hope you will honour me by beingpresent at the wedding."

  "That I will, Bob, with pleasure," replied I; "let me hear all that hastaken place."

  "Why, sir, it's told in a few words. I took your advice, and broughtthe old gentleman presents, and I sat with him and heard all his oldstories at least fifty times over, and laughed at his jokes as regularlythe last time as the first; and he told Jane and her mother that I was avery pleasant, sensible and amusing young man--although he had all thetalk, and I had none. The fact is, sir, it was he who first brought upthe subject of my splicing his niece; that is to say, he hinted how heshould like to see her well settled, and that if she married accordingto his wishes, he would leave her all he had.

  "Well, sir, it was the opinion of Jane and her mother, that, as he was awhimsical, changeable old chap, it would be right for her to refuse meat first; and so she did, very much to the old man's annoyance, who thenset his mind upon it, and swore that if she did not marry me, he wouldnot leave her a farthing. After a few days of quarrelling, Jane gavein, and the old chap swears that we shall be married immediately, andthat he will give us half his property down at once."

  "Strike the iron while it's hot, Bob," replied I. "Is the day fixed?"

  "Not exactly, sir; but we are to be put up in church next Sunday, and ittakes three Sundays. I hope you won't part with me, sir," continuedBob. "The Diligente will be paid off on Tuesday, they say, and if youcould get me appointed to the Circe--"

  "Why, Cross, you are thinking of going to sea again, even before you aremarried. I should advise you not to be in such a hurry. You must notdisplease the old gentleman; besides, you must not leave a young wife sosoon."

  "That's very true, Captain Keene, but I don't think I should becomfortable if I knew you were afloat without me."

  "I suppose you think that I cannot take care of myself."

  "Yes, I do, sir; but still I know that I should fret; and, sir, it willbe four months at least before the Circe is ready for sea and I may justas well be appointed to her, and I can decide whether I do go to sea ornot when the time comes."

  "Well, Cross, I will certainly apply for you; but, if you take myadvice, you will give up the sea altogether, and live on shore."

  "I have nothing to do, sir."

  "Yes, you have; you have to cherish your wife, and look after the oldgentleman."

  "Well he is rather shakey, they say sir; the old woman is often calledout to him at nights."

  "Well, Cross, I will do as you wish, and time will decide how you are toact. I am going over to Southampton for a few days perhaps, and willtake care to be back by the wedding. By-the-bye, have you heardanything about prize-money?"

  "Yes, sir; it's payable for the Diligente and schooner, and all ourrecaptures in the West Indies when we were in the Firefly. The Dutchfrigate has been for distribution some time; but as I was only pettyofficer then, it won't come to much."

  "Well, I can tell you that the government have taken the schooner whichwe captured in the chops of the channel, and the East India Company havegiven us salvage for the ship. My agent has received already 7,400pounds on my account, which I have ordered to be purchased into thefunds. As there were so few warrant officers, your share will not beless than 1,500 pounds, perhaps more. As you said, the salvage of theIndiaman has proved more valuable to us than all the rest of ourprize-money put together."

  "Well, Captain Keene, if my prize-money comes to as much as that, Ithink I shall be nearly as well off as my little Jane will be. Will youhave the kindness to let your agent put it by for me in the same waythat you have done yours?"

  "Yes, Cross, I will see to it immediately; I shall write to himto-morrow, or the day after."

  After a little conversation, Cross took leave. The next day I tookpost-horses, and went over to Madeline Hall, having two or three daysbefore received a note from the Honourable Miss Delmar, saying how gladshe should be to see me as a friend and shipmate of her nephew, Lord deVersely; so that it appeared the old lady had been written to by Lord deVersely respecting me.

  I arrived early in the afternoon, and the post-chaise drove up theavenue of magnificent chestnut-trees which led to the mansion.