Chapter 6 Summary

Aubrey reports to the Admiralty. He meets with Lord Melville and they exchange formalities. Lord Melville insinuates that various undesirable positions are possibly open—unfortunately Aubrey's late return prevents him from obtaining a ship command as they have all been handed out. Aubrey carefully requests a sea command of any sort. Later, Aubrey sneaks about the town in order to avoid various constables desiring to arrest him for debt. He meets with Pullings and Maturin and holds various small conversations. Over the next few days Maturin and Aubrey live together and discuss Aubrey's probable future; Maturin's slovenliness irritates and disgusts Aubrey.

Aubrey later attends a party at Lady Keith's house—his particular friend. He makes various political connections and then meets a Bristol merchant, Mr. Richard Canning. Canning is a Jew, a powerful business man, and incredibly wealthy. Aubrey likes him...