I have long been absent--have done services abroad that were not expected, but which seem to be thought a good deal of.

I have more and greater friends than before, and this seems to be the moment that their exertions may be most serviceable to me.

I may now perhaps make a bold dash forward, or may remain a poor lieutenant all my life." And he ended this letter, which Miss Chappell would not fail to read "between the lines," by assuring "my dear friend Annette," that "with the greatest sincerity, I am her most affectionate friend and brother, Matthew Flinders." From this point the comforting understanding between the two young people developed in ways as to which there is no evidence in correspondence; but shortly after Flinders received promotion he must have proposed marriage.
He wrote a short time afterwards in these terms: "H.M.S.

Investigator, at the Nore, April 6, 1801.
"My dearest friend, "Thou hast asked me if there is a POSSIBILITY of our living together.

I think I see a PROBABILITY of living with a moderate share of comfort.
Till now I was not certain of being able to fit myself out clear of the world.