"
"It is to those gentlemen, who have guarded him from his infancy,
that I would restore this young man."
"This is very magnanimous conduct."
"A father, sire, may for his son's good disregard his own yearnings.
I would, with permission, escort him back to Harwich and assure
myself of his happiness. Your Majesty need have no doubt of my
return with the next transport."
"Indeed, Captain Salt, I myself should advise you, for your own
safety, to be out of the way until this small storm has blown over.
Present yourself as soon as you return. Sir," he continued,
addressing Tristram, "you are discharged from my service, which, I
must say, has not bettered your looks. Return to your guardians and,
if they will allow you, cultivate some small amount of loyalty."
"I thank your Majesty very heartily," Tristram replied ingenuously,
"and I regret if the plant has, until now, found no place in our
garden."
"The squadron will sail again for England at midnight," said William
with a faint smile; then, turning to the Earl of Marlborough, "My
lord, will you write out the order?"
At this moment one of the pages entered with a note for the King.
"Let him come in," said William, after opening it and running his eye
over the contents; then, addressing Captain Salt, "I fear this puts
an end to our conversation for the time.
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