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He buttoned up his coat and took up his bag.

'I'll have the ostler come with us with a lantern to escort you back,' he said, consideringly.

'Oh, no please, darling. It's so short a way, and I know every step,' pleaded Maria, and there was enough truth in what she said for him not to insist.

They walked out into the keen cold air, having to adjust their eyes to the darkness even after the miserable light of the coffee-room. Hornblower realised that if he had been an Admiral, or even a distinguished Captain, he would never have been allowed to leave with so little ceremony; the innkeeper and his wife would certainly have risen and dressed to see him on his way. They turned the corner and started on the steep slope down to the Sally Port, and it was borne in anew on Hornblower that he was about to start out for the wars. His concern for Maria had actually distracted him from this thought, but now he found himself gulping with excitement.

'Dear,' said Maria. 'I have a little present for you.'