“You look ten years younger, Becky,” I said.

“I feel it, Humphrey,” she said solemnly, and then bade the maid set wine and biscuits in the parlor, and never to forget to ask a gentleman in instead of keeping him at the door, gaping like a ninny!

Of course I had to tell my story to her, and again to Mr. Vetch when he came home to dinner.  The lawyer looked much the same as when I left him, save that he was certainly neater in his dress.  He was delighted to see me, and when he heard of the good fortune that had befallen me in gaining the interest of Mr. Benbow he declared that I had taken a load off his mind, for he had always been oppressed with the fear that the loss of the will had ruined me.  His business, I was glad to hear, was a trifle better than when I was with him, though it would never be what it had been.

“Fiddlesticks!” said his wife.  “You have no spirit, Mr. Vetch, and what you would be if I didn’t keep you up, the Lord alone knows.”

I will not dwell on my visit to Captain Galsworthy.  He was looking older, I thought:  but after I had told him my adventures, nothing would satisfy him but that we should have a bout with the foils.  I was careful to let the good old man get the better of me, and when we had finished he shook his head and declared that my skill had declined.

“But we’ll get it back, we’ll get it back,” he said.  “You must come to me for half an hour every day, and we’ll soon rub off the rust.”

He told me of the six months’ lessons he had given Roger Allardyce, and foretold a creditable career for that young soldier, not so much for any sign of military aptitude in him (though the captain owned he had the making of a good swordsman) as because he had doggedly refused to say anything about me.  He knew, I suppose, that I should not wish the tale of my mischances to be told by any lips but my own, and could not have pleased the captain more than by declining to answer his questions.  I never knew a man nicer than Captain Galsworthy on the point of honor.

I remained about a month in Shrewsbury, seeing old friends, among them Nelly Hind and Mistress Punchard, whom I rejoiced with news of their brother and son, and paying many visits to my newer friends at the Hall.  I was able to assure Mr. Allardyce that the procedure of his lawyer had the full approval of Mr. Vetch, who was careful to say, when giving his opinion, that it was given in a private capacity and without prejudice to his brother in the profession.

One day I received through the post a letter with a great red seal.  I tore it open eagerly, and could scarcely believe in my good fortune when I saw it was nothing less than a lieutenant’s commission in the King’s navy, accompanied by an order to join my ship the Falmouth, Captain Samuel Vincent, at Portsmouth, as soon as might be.  I had not expected to be rated higher than a midshipman, though when I had mentioned that to Mistress Vetch, she tossed her head and declared she had looked for nothing else.