"Captain George!" exclaimed the seaman, with difficulty restraining himself from shying his hat to the ceiling, and looking sheepishly conscious, he had almost committed this tempting solecism. "What! our Captain George? I'm not much of a talking chap, marm; I haven't got the time, but if that's the port you're bound for, I'll sail round the world with you, if we beat against a headwind the whole voyage through!"
With such sentiments the preliminaries were easily adjusted, and it was arranged that Smoke-Jack should accompany the Marquise on her journey with no more delay than would be required to purchase him landsman's attire. He entered into the scheme with thorough goodwill, though expressing, and doubtless feeling, some little disappointment when he learned that Justine, of whom he had caught a glimpse on the stairs, was not to be of the party.
Avowedly a woman-hater, he had, of course, a real weakness for the softer sex, and with all his deference to the Marquise, would have found much delight in the society of her waiting-maid. Such specimens as Justine he considered his especial study, and believed that of all men he best understood their qualities, and was most conversant with "the trim on 'em."
