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Chetwyn answered. 'But how can they spare you, old fellow? You haven't yet told me why you're here.’
    Edward told him of his idea for a contract for supplying corn to the navy. 'I suppose the Commissioner of Portsmouth would be the most direct man to approach, but I'm all for trying interest first. That's why I've come up with John. Addington needs every vote in the House he can get, and John proposes to offer to support him, if he will speak to the Comptroller on my behalf. It's of no use his asking St Vincent — he doesn't hold with jobbery, except where dashing young sea-officers are concerned. But in any case, from what I hear, the Comptroller's got more influence than the Naval Lord and the First Lord put together.'
    ‘ But I seem to have missed a step somewhere,' Chetwyn said solemnly. 'What does Anstey gain from this?’
    Edward grinned. 'Oh, you spotted that, did you? That's partly why we're here, Chet — we want to use the Aylesbury influence on John's behalf.'
    ‘ My eldest boy, you see,' John Anstey explained, 'is mad for the navy, wants to make it his career. Well, I don't mind it — I've other sons to follow me in business, and Louisa is all for it. It runs in her blood, you know — father, grandfather and brother.'
    ‘ Surely even your eldest lad must be rather young to be going to sea?' Chetwyn frowned. 'I don't recall dates very well, but I remember your wedding, and I can't believe it was more than nine or ten years ago.'
    ‘ He's eight this year,' Anstey told him, 'and I think it's too young, but Louisa insists he can't begin too early. She says now is the best time to get patronage, before the rush starts. She says that as soon as war is declared, the great naval clans like the Parkers and the Cochranes will start manoeuvring, and all the places will be taken.’
    - 'She may very well be right, but I don't quite see what I can do for you,' Chetwyn said. 'My influence is limited to Carlton House, and the Prince of Wales, you know, is not at all interested in the navy.'
    ‘ Well, when I said the Aylesbury influence, I suppose I was really thinking of Lucy,' Anstey said. 'She's such a favourite of Admiral Collingwood, and it would be easy enough for him to find little John a place.’
    Chetwyn's face was immobile. 'I'm afraid you are out of luck. She's not in Town.'
    ‘ Oh, what a pity — I wanted to see her,' Anstey said. 'Has she gone down to Wolvercote?'
    ‘ No, to Portsmouth, I believe,' Chetwyn said. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Edward frown, then open his mouth to ask an awkward question, and he went on hastily, 'but with Ned beside you, you can have no scruples about using the name, if you think you need it.’
    He turned to Edward and firmly changed the subject. 'Are you making any sort of stay, now you're here? Because if you are, you must come with me to my tailor and let him make you a coat. I've seen you in that brown thing any time these five years, and it was always hideous, you know. And I've a new barber, too, who dresses hair to perfection. He could make a new man of you, Ned, my dear.'
    ‘ I'm content with the old one, even if you aren't,' Edward said with a smile, 'but I admit I could do with a new coat.’
    Chetwyn eyed him up and down. 'You had much better wait until you have it, before you go jobbing. Where are you staying?'
    ‘ Grillons, I suppose,' Ned answered doubtfully. 'Of course, we both thought we'd be staying in Upper Grosvenor Street, but —'
    ‘ No reason why you shouldn't. The staff are always there in readiness. I'll write a note for Hicks, and Thorn shall take it round this morning. No, don't mention it, Anstey. They might as well be working for their pay. And now, if you'll excuse me for half an hour while I get dressed, I'll bear you company across the park.’

    *
    Lucy's arrival in the courtyard of the Golden Lion in Portsmouth, driving herself and Weston in her curricle, caused the sort of mild sensation that she had come rather to enjoy since