Would you like to go to sea again, Brown? asked Hornblower. The mere fact that he allowed himself to make this unnecessary speech was proof of how much Hornblower was lifted out of himself with excitement.
Id like it main well, sir, said Brown shortly.
Hornblower was left to guess what Brown really meantwhether his curtness was just the English way of concealing enthusiasm, or whether Brown was merely being in polite agreement with his masters mood.
The rain from Hornblowers wet hair was trickling down his neck now inside his collar. He ought to have brought a souwester with him. He hunched himself together on the padded leather seat, resting his two hands on the hilt of the sword belted round his waistthe hundred-guinea sword given him by the Patriotic Fund. With the sword vertical his hands held the heavy wet cloak away from the cocked hat on his knees. Another little rivulet coursed down inside his clothes and made him squirm. By the time the shower had passed he was thoroughly damp and uncomfortable, but here once more came the glorious sun. The raindrops in the gorse and the brambles shone like diamonds; the horses steamed; larks resumed their song far overhead, and Hornblower threw open his cloak and wiped his damp hair and neck with his handkerchief. Brown eased the horses to a walk at the crest of the hill to breathe them before the brisk descent.
London, sir, he said.
And there it was. The rain had washed the smoke and dust out of the air so that even at that distance the gilt cross and bell over St. Pauls gleamed in the sunshine. The church spires, dwarfed by the dome, stood out with unnatural clarity. The very roof-tops were distinct. Brown clicked his tongue at the horses and they broke once more into a trot, rattling the chariot down the steep descent into Wandsworth, and Hornblower pulled out his watch. It was no more than two oclock, ample time to do business. Even though his shirt was damp inside his coat this was a far better day than he had anticipated when he sat in his bath that morning.
Brown drew the horses to a halt outside the Admiralty, and a ragged urchin appeared who guarded the wheel so that it did not muddy Hornblowers cloak and uniform as he climbed down from the chariot.
At the Golden Cross, then, Brown, said Hornblower, fumbling for a copper for the urchin.
Aye aye, sir, said Brown, wheeling the horses round.
Hornblower carefully put on his cocked hat, settled his coat more smoothly, and centred the buckle of his sword-belt. At Smallbridge House he was Sir Horatio, master of the house, lord of the manor, autocrat undisputed, but now he was just Captain Hornblower going in to see the Lords of the Admiralty. But Admiral Louis was all cordiality. He left Hornblower waiting no more than three minutes in the anteroomno longer than would be necessary to get rid of his visitor of the momentand he shook hands with obvious pleasure at the sight of him; he rang the bell for a clerk to take Hornblowers wet cloak away, and with his own hands he pulled up a chair for him beside the vast fire which Louis maintained summer and winter since his return from the command of the East Indian Station.
Lady Barbara is well, I trust? he asked.
Very well, thank you, sir, said Hornblower.
And Master Hornblower?
Very well too, sir.
Hornblower was mastering his shyness rapidly. He sat farther back in his chair and welcomed the heat of the fire. That was a new portrait of Collingwood on the wall; it must have replaced the old one of Lord Barharn. It was pleasant to note the red ribbon and the star and to look down at his own breast and to see that he wore the same decoration.
And yet you left domestic bliss at the first moment you received our letter?
Of course, sir.
Hornblower realized that perhaps it might be more profitable not to be natural; it might be better to adopt a pose, to appear reluctant to take up his professional duties, or to make it look as if he were making a great personal sacrifice for his country, but for the life of him he could not do it. He was too pleased with his promotion, too full of curiosity regarding the mission the Admiralty had in mind for him. Louis keen eyes were studying him closely, and he met their gaze frankly.
What is it you plan for me, sir? he asked; he would not even wait for Louis to make the first move.
The Baltic, said Louis.
So that was it. The two words terminated a morning of wild speculation, tore up a wide cobweb of possibilities. It might have been
anywhere in the world; Java or Jamaica, Cape Horne or the Cape of Good Hope, the Indian Ocean or the Mediterranean, anywhere within the 25,000-mile circuit of the world where the British flag flew. And it was going to be the Baltic; Hornblower tried to sort out in his mind what he knew about the Baltic. He had not sailed in northern waters since he was a junior lieutenant.
Admiral Keats is commanding there, isnt he?
At the moment, yes. But Saumarez is replacing him. His orders will be to give you the widest latitude of discretion.