[4] The Iris afterwards engaged the Citoyenne-Française, and after an obstinate contest, the French ship, her masts standing, got away, and ran into the Bordeaux river. The Iris lost her fore-mast, main-topmast, and mizen; the French frigate had her captain and fifteen officers and seamen killed. CHAPTER XIII. Three years have passed since the events recorded in our last chapter took place; and, at the end of that period we find our hero, whom we must still style William Thornton, third Lieutenant of the Diamond frigate, commanded by his sincere friend Captain Sir Sidney Smith. To add to his pleasure at this appointment, procured through the interest of Lord Hood, his attached friend and companion, Patrick O’Loughlin, was first Lieutenant of the same ship. Our hero had passed an examination with considerable credit. The Diamond frigate was ordered to cruise off Brest, in company with the Flora and the Arethusa. Before we proceed with our story, we will briefly record the events of the three years, so far as they biassed the fortunes of our hero. Having received the prize-money due to him from the capture of the Bon-Citoyen, William Thornton placed it under the control of Mr. Stanmore, for the benefit of Mabel Arden, Lieutenant O’Loughlin insisting on giving a similar sum. “You shall repay me,” said the generous sailor, when our hero remonstrated, “when the little girl becomes your wife, and she regains her rights.” “But, my dear friend,” replied our hero, “that event is not likely to occur. I love the dear child as a sister, and will protect her as long as she requires a protector; but I am not at all in love; and certainly a little girl, not quite thirteen, and not very beautiful, is not very likely to create the tender passion such as the fair Agatha inspires in the bosom of my gallant friend.” “Oh! bother about tender passion: wait a bit,” said the Lieutenant; “in the meantime let the thing be as we have fixed it, and let us turn your attention to making inquiries about my dear benefactor, Sir Oscar de Bracy.” Mr. Stanmore was made their confidant in this affair also. He listened with great patience, and agreed that it appeared extremely probable that William Thornton was, in fact, Sir Oscar de Bracy’s son, at the same time taking down all the dates and names and particulars they both could give him. He then told them they must allow him time—a few days—to make inquiries.