_We may infer from the circumstance of his Lordship's coming home, that information had reached him of the Combined Squadron having got into Ferrol._ He dared say they had. Where was the man should have stopped them? _The Times, August 20._ _Lord Nelson arrived at his seat at Merton in Surrey yesterday...._ O, the Gentleman! the Gentleman! It was all true then!... _and will most probably attend at the Admiralty this day_. Probably attend! And this was Nelson! his Nelson! _Victory, Spithead, August 18, 1805. The Victory, with the fleet under my command, left Gibraltar twenty- seven days ago.... Nelson and Bronté_. That's right. Do the thing thoroughly if you're going to do it at all. Come home yourself, and bring your fleet with you. It might get in the way of the Combined Squadron if it stopped off Cadiz. Pity to be rude, you know! _As soon as Lord Nelson's flag was descried at Spithead, the ramparts, and every place which could command a view of the entrance of the harbour, were crowded with spectators. As he approached the shore, he was saluted with loud and reiterated huzzas, as enthusiastic and sincere as if he had returned crowned with a third great naval victory_. That third great victory, where was it now? Poor little chap! poor little Nelson! And what was this? The _Moniteur_, _Paris_, _August 12_. Boo-woo-woo.... Bob Calder's battle. [Footnote: Sir Robert Calder had fought an indecisive action with Villeneuve in July.] Bob Calder ought to be shot. Had em and then wouldn't hammer em. Call emselves sailors! _Vice-Admiral Calder stood off with thirteen ships, and left the Combined Squadron masters of the sea_. Masters of the Sea! O good God! good God! And what was Nelson doing? _The sudden arrival of Lord Nelson in the Metropolis, after so long an absence, and such arduous service, is a circumstance peculiarly interesting to the inhabitants, who were yesterday waiting in thousands about the Admiralty to give him a truly British reception. Many, of course, were disappointed in their object, and can only wait for another opportunity; but that, we have reason to believe, will occur this evening, as it is reported in the Naval circles, that his Lordship intends to pay a visit to Vauxhall Gardens, in honour of the birthday of the Duke of Clarence. The report is, in many points of view, entitled to consideration, for there is no other Gala in the season which affords such an infinite degree of nautical attraction._ Gala with a big G! _No other Gala in the season which affords such an infinite degree of nautical attraction._ Poor England! poor Nelson! IV THE GENTLEMAN'S LAST CARD CHAPTER LXIII NELSON'S TOPSAILS Kit awoke with a start. The dormer made a patch of diamond light in the dead of the wall, and the chill of dawn sharpened the air. Blob was bending over him. "Nelson's a-comin," he announced, much as he might have said breakfast was in.