ssed in favour of one, who as unconsciously had
become attached to her. He knew his own feelings, but had checked them
in the bud, aware that he had nothing to offer but himself. This person
was Newton Forster. His intimacy with Captain Carrington, the attention
shown him by Captain Drawlock, (who trusted him to work the
chronometers!!) his own excellent character and handsome person, had
raised him to more importance than his situation as a junior officer
would have warranted; and his behaviour was such as to have secured him
the good-will of every one on board of the ship. Newton's unassuming
frank manner, added to a large stock of general information, occasioned
his society to be courted, even by those who would otherwise have been
inclined to keep at a distance one in his subordinate rank.

When they arrived at St. Helena, the first-mate, for a wonder, no longer
made any difficulty of going on shore for an hour or two, if he knew
that Newton would be the commanding officer during his absence; nay, so
high did he stand in the opinion of his captain, that nut only was he
permitted to take charge of the chronometers, but, if called away for a
time below, Captain Drawlock would hand over to Newton's charge any one
of the unmarried _responsibilities_, who might happen to be leaning on
his arm.

The Indiamen being now left to protect themselves, the senior officer,
Commodore Bottlecock, issued most elaborate memoranda, as to the order
of sailing, exercise of the men at the great guns and small arms, and
every other point which could tend to their security by due preparation.
Nevertheless, the ladies continued to appear on deck. Mrs Ferguson
sat in her majesty; the young ladies tittered, and were reprimanded; the
young gentlemen were facetious, and were rebuked; the old colonel talked
of his adventure at Madeira, and compared every thing to the spent ball
at the battle of ---. Dr Plausible had become a most assiduous
attendant upon Miss Tavistock, ever since he had satisfactorily
ascertained that she had property of her own; every body had become
intimate; every one was becoming tired, when the bearings and distance
at noon placed them about two hundred miles from Point de Galle, the
southernmost extremity of Ceylon. The wind was fresh and fair, and they
congratulated each other upon a speedy termination to their tedious
voyage.

Dinner was announced by the old tune of "Oh! the roast beef of old
England;" and dur