was badly broken, and her manners were startling. She had been the commodore's cook in his Indian bungalow, so the rumor ran, until for reasons inscrutable he decided to marry her. Such a person was enough to set the ship's society by the ears. Social caste and station were matters of immense importance. The emotions of Dr. Law, a fussy old bachelor of a half-pay naval surgeon, were quite beyond words, although he was heard to mutter:
"A vulgar black woman, by Jove! And, damme, she flung her arms around me when she was taken seasick at table."
There was also consternation among such exclusive persons as Captain Miles, and six assistant surgeons in the Honorable Company's military service. Major Reid of the Poonah Auxiliary Forces, and Quartermaster Hormby and his lady, of his Majesty's foot. The dignified commander of the Blenden Hall felt it necessary to explain that passage for the chocolate-hued spouse of the erring commodore had been obtained under false pretenses. As if this were not enough, another social shock was in store.
Lieutenant Painter, a bluff, good-humored naval man, had come on board at Gravesend. While the ship was anchored in the Downs, he was one of the passengers who asked the captain to set them ashore
