SCENE III. Nelson has joined his fleet off Cadiz. Though at his

express desire no guns are fired, no colours shown, that the enemy may be kept in ignorance of the arrival of a reinforcement, the loving-kindness and joy shown at his arrival cause him "the sweetest sensation of his life." The officers who come on board to welcome his return forget even his rank as commander-in-chief, in the enthusiasm with which they greet him. He cannot for a time speak for emotion. But he regains his voice at last, and then while they crowd around the table he proceeds to explain to them his previously arranged plans for attacking the enemy. That, he says, is the "Nelson touch." They see it all in a moment. It is a touch of true genius. So new, so singular, so simple. Some of them are even affected to tears, so much are their minds relieved by the prospect, nay, the very certainty of victory now before them.