[Illustration: THE GIRL'S OWN PAPER VOL. XX.--NO. 982.] OCTOBER 22, 1898. [PRICE ONE PENNY.] [Illustration: A MOTHER'S LOVE. "'Can a woman's tender care Cease towards the child she bare? Yes, she may forgetful be, Yet will I remember _thee_.'"] _All rights reserved_.] "OUR HERO." BY AGNES GIBERNE, Author of "Sun, Moon and Stars," "The Girl at the Dower House," etc. CHAPTER IV. MOST UNPLEASANT TIDINGS. "Hallo!--Keene!--Mr. Jack Keene! At your service, sir." "Admiral! How do you? I was near giving you the go-by." "Near running me down, you might say. Like to a three-decker in full sail. You are going indoors? Ay, ay, then I'll wait; I'll come another day. 'Twas in my mind that Mrs. Fairbank might be glad of a word. But since you are here----" "She will be glad, I can assure you. Pray, sir, come in with me. This is a frightful blow. It was told me as I came off the ground after parade; and I hastened hither at full speed." "Ay, ay; that did you!" muttered the Admiral. "Seeing nought ahead of you but the Corsican, I'll be bound." "'Tis a disgrace to his nation," burst out Jack. "Sir, what do you think of the step?" "Think! The most atrocious--the most abominable piece of work ever heard of. If ever a living man deserved to be strung up at the yard-arm, that man is Napoleon and none other." "It can never, sure, be carried out." "Nay, if the Consul choose, what is to hinder?" "Government will not give up the vessels seized." "Give them up! Knuckle down to the Corsican! Crouch before him like to a whipped hound! Why, war has been declared. Our Ambassador had had his orders to come home, before ever the step was taken. Give up the ships! Confess ourselves wrong, in a custom which has been allowed for ages. We'll give nothing up, nothing, my dear Jack! Sooner than that, let Boney do his best and his worst. Wants to chase our vessels of war, does he? Ay, so he may, when they turn tail and run away. We shall know how to meet him afloat, fast enough--no fear! With our jolly tars, and brave Nelson at their head, there's a thing or two yet to be taught to the First Consul, or I'm greatly in error." The two speakers stood outside Mrs. Fairbank's house in Bath, where they had arrived from opposite directions at the same moment. Both had walked fast; and each after his own mode showed excitement. The older of the two, Admiral Peirce, a grizzled veteran, made small attempt to hide the wrath which quivered visibly in every fibre of his athletic figure. He had usually a frank and kindly countenance, weather-beaten by many a storm, yet overflowing with geniality. The geniality had forsaken it this morning, and he looked like one whom an enemy might prefer not to meet at too close quarters.