"Well, your present appearance is scarcely that of an invalid, I must confess," he remarked laughingly.  "If you were called upon to submit to a medical examination, I fancy the verdict would be that there is not very much the matter with you.  And I am very glad that it is so; for I have just received a letter from my friend Vavassour, in which he informs me that he has been posted to the new frigate _Europa_, launched last week at Portsmouth and now fitting-out; that he has entered your name on her books; and that, if you feel sufficiently recovered to resume duty, he would very strongly advise you to proceed to Portsmouth at once and assist in the operation of fitting-out, as he is of opinion that by doing so you will gain a considerable amount of knowledge that will be of the utmost value to you when you come to sit for your examination.  Now, what is your opinion?  Do you think you are sufficiently recovered to do as Vavassour suggests; or should I write and ask him to--"