Twice I attempted to walk into the room, and each time my legs failed me; at last I wiped the perspiration from my forehead, and with a desperate effort I went into the room.
"Mr Simple, I am glad to see you," said a voice.

I had held my head down, for I was afraid to look at him, but the voice was so kind that I mustered up courage; and, when I did look up, there sat with his uniform and epaulets, and his sword by his side, the passenger in the plaid cloak, who wanted to open my letter, and whom I had told to his face, that he was _no gentleman_.
I thought I should have died as the other midshipman did upon his chest.
I was just sinking down upon my knees to beg for mercy, when the captain perceiving my confusion, burst out into a laugh, and said, "So you know me again, Mr Simple?
Well, don't be alarmed, you did your duty in not permitting me to open the letter, supposing me, as you did, to be some other person, and you were perfectly right, under that supposition, to tell me that I was not a gentleman.

I give you credit for your conduct.
Now sit down and take some breakfast." "Captain Courtney," said he to the other captain, who was at the table, "this is one of my youngsters just entering the service.

We were passengers yesterday by the same coach." He then told him the circumstance which occurred, at which they laughed heartily.
I now recovered my spirits a little--but still there was the affair at the theatre, and I thought that perhaps he did not recognize me.

I was, however, soon relieved from my anxiety by the other captain inquiring, "Were you at the theatre last night, Savage ?" "No; I dined at the admiral's; there's no getting away from those girls, they are so pleasant." "I rather think you are a little--_taken_ in that quarter." "No, on my word! I might be if I had time to discover which I liked best; but my ship is at present my wife, and the only wife I intend to have until I am laid on the shelf." Well, thought I, if he was not at the theatre, it could not have been him that I insulted.