Book 18 of the Aubrey/Maturin series. Jack Aubrey, having troubles at home and at sea, finds himself — in the spring of 1814 — in the midst of peace. This feeds his fear about his career — the prospect of being “yellowed,” or nominally promoted to the rank of admiral without any squadron to command. Stephen Maturin then returns from France with the news that the Chileans are looking for English officers to serve in its new navy. But a new turn of events summons Jack to Gibraltar: Napoleon has escaped from Elba.