"Such sheets of fire, such bursts of horrid thunder,
Such groans of roaring wind and rain, I never
Remember to have heard."
--SHAKESPEARE.
Early in the morning of a perfect June day, our numerous party arrived at
the wharf where lay the steamer that was to carry them to Philadelphia.
The embarkation was made without accident. Molly had had a nervous dread
of her share in it, but under her uncle's careful supervision, was
conveyed safely on board.
The weather was very warm, the sea perfectly calm, but as they steamed out
of the harbor a pleasant breeze sprang up, and the voyage began most
prosperously.
There were a hundred lady passengers, and not more than a dozen gentlemen;
but to Virginia's delight, one of these last was a gay dashing young army
officer, with whom she had a slight acquaintance.
He caught sight of her directly, hastened to greet her, and they were soon
promenading the deck together, engaged in an evident flirtation.
Mr. Dinsmore, seated at some little distance with his daughter and her
children about him, watched his niece's proceedings with a deepening
frown. He was not pleased with either her conduct or her companion.
At length, rising and approaching his sister, "Do you know that young man,
Louise?" he asked.
"Not intimately," she returned, bridling. "He is Captain Brice of the
army."
"Do you know his character?"
"I have heard that he belongs to a good family, and I can see that he is a
gentleman. I hope you are satisfied."
"No, I am not, Louise. He is a wild, reckless fellow, fond of drink,
gambles----"
"And what of it?" she interrupted. "I don't suppose he's going to teach
Virginia to do either."
"He is no fit associate for her or for any lady. Will you interpose your
authority----"
"No, I won't; I'm not going to insult a gentleman, and I'm satisfied that
Virginia has sense enough to take care of herself."
"Waving the question whether a man of his character is a gentleman, let me
remark that it is not necessary to insult him in order to put a stop to
this. You can call your daughter to your side, keep her with you, take an
early opportunity to inform her of the man's reputation, and bid her
discourage his attentions. If you do not interfere," he added in his
determined way, "I shall take the matter into my own hands."
"Isadore," said Mrs. Conly, "go and tell your sister I wish to speak to
her."
Virginia was extremely vexed at the summons, but obeyed it promptly.
"What can mamma want? I was having such a splendid time," she said
pettishly to her sister, when they were out of the captain's hearing.
"It is more Uncle Horace than mamma."
Virginia reddened. She knew her uncle's opinions, and she was not entirely
ignorant of the reputation borne by Captain Brice.
She feigned ignorance however, listened with apparent surprise to her
uncle's account of him and promised sweetly to treat him with the most
distant politeness in future.
Mr. Dinsmore saw through her, but what more could he do, except keep a
strict watch over both.
The captain, forsaken by Virginia, sauntered about the deck and presently
approaching an elderly lady who sat somewhat apart from the rest, lifted
his cap with a smiling "How do you do, Mrs. Noyes?" and taking an empty
chair by her side entered into a desultory conversation.
"By the by," he said, "what an attractive family group is that over
yonder," with a slight motion of the head in the direction of the
Travillas. "The mother is my beau-ideal of a lovely matron, in appearance
at least--I have not the happiness of her acquaintance--and the daughters
are models of beauty and grace. They are from your neighborhood, I
believe?"
"Yes; I have a calling acquaintance with Mrs. Travilla. She was a great
heiress; has peculiar notions, rather puritanical; but is extremely
agreeable for all that."
"Could you give me an introduction?"