were proportionally
enlivened.

"Is this orthodox, Mr Ferguson?" inquired the colonel, holding up his
glass.

"So far orthodox, that it is very good; and what is orthodox is good,"
replied the divine, with good-humour.

"The Asia has made the signal for `a strange sail--suspicious,'" said
the second-mate to Captain Drawlock, putting his head into the cabin.

"Very well, Mr Jones, keep a glass upon the commodore."

"Mrs Ferguson, will you take some of this tart? Damascene, I believe,"
said the first-mate.

"If you please, Mr Mathews.--Did not Mr Jones say suspicious?--What
does that imply?"

"Imply, madam; why that he don't like the cut of her jib!"

"And pray what does that mean?"

"Mean, madam; why, that for all he knows to the contrary, she may be a
French frigate."

"A French frigate! a French frigate! O dear! O dear!" cried two or
three ladies at a breath.

"Mr Mathews," said Captain Drawlock, "I am really surprised at your
indiscretion. You have alarmed the ladies. A suspicious sail, Mrs
Ferguson, merely implies--in fact, that they do not know what she is."

"Is that _all_ it means?" replied Mrs Ferguson, with an incredulous
look.

"Nothing more, madam; nothing more, I assure you."

"Commodore has made a signal that strange vessel is a man-of-war bearing
down," said the second-mate, again entering the cabin.

"Very well, Mr Jones," said Captain Drawlock, with assumed
indifference, but at the same time fidgeting on his chair.

The first-mate and Newton immediately quitted the cabin.

"Miss Tavistock, will you take a little of this pudding?"

"If you please, sir, a very little."

"A man-of-war! I'll go and have a look at her," said the colonel; who
rose up, bowed to the ladies, and left the cuddy.

"Most probably one of our cruisers," observed Captain Drawlock.

"The commodore has made the signal to prepare for action, sir," said the
second-mate.

"Very well, Mr Jones," said Captain Drawlock, who could now restrain
himself no longer. "You must excuse me, ladies, for a moment or two,
but our commodore is so _very_ prudent a man, and I am under his orders.
In a short time I hope to return to the pleasure of your society."

Captain Drawlock's departure was followed by that of all the male party,
with the exception of Doctor Plausible and Mr Ferguson, both of whom
however were anxious to go upon deck, and ascertain how matters stood.

"Mr Ferguson, where are you going?" said his wife