flowers; however, be it what it may, I have nothing to do with it beyond admiring it, and thinking a gentle swell and a light breeze would make it all the pleasanter."
"But how are you to make a wife a settlement, Arthur?"
"I have got five thousand pounds of my own, and, with the interest of that and half of my pay, if she cannot live in a cottage near Portsmouth very snug, I shall wonder. The first lieutenant's wife hasn't so much, and the captain's very little more; when prize money or promotion comes, of course she will have the best share, and shall have lumber of her own in abundance."
"I fear she will not be content with that; I am sure her mother will not."
"Those cat-like mothers, who beat off their children at a given period, have no claims on them; and, if Georgiana can't take a warm heart and a decent cabin, I'll whistle her down the wind speedily, as pretty as she is, and as modest looking. I ask for no thing but love on her part, and I give both that and all my worldly goods (to say nothing of my being a sailor) into the bargain. Then look at my connexions, and"
"And yourself, dear Arthur," said the old lady; "I am sure, if I were a young girl, I should look at you very often, and think nothing too much to give you."
