, sharply. "Pray,
sir, do us the favour to remain. Your profession, if I mistake not, is
one of peace."

"Oh! Doctor Plausible, I feel very unwell," cried Miss Tavistock.

"I will stay with you, my dear madam," replied the doctor.

A gun from the commodore's ship, which was close to windward of them,
burst upon their ears, rattling the cabin windows, and making every
wine-glass on the table to dance with the concussion.

"Oh! oh! oh!" screamed Miss Tavistock, throwing herself back in her
chair, and expanding her arms and fingers.

Doctor Plausible flew to the lady's assistance.

"The extreme fineness of her organic structure--a little water, if you
please, Miss Charlotte Revel."

A tumbler of water was poured out, and Doctor Plausible, dipping the tip
of his fore-finger into it, passed it lightly over the lady's brows.
"She will be better directly."

But the lady did not think proper to _come to_ so soon as the doctor
prophesied, and Mrs Ferguson, snatching up the tumbler, dashed the
contents with violence in Miss Tavistock's face; at which Miss Tavistock
not only revived, but jumped up from her chair, blowing and spluttering.

"Are you better now, Miss Tavistock?" said Mrs Ferguson, soothingly, at
the same time glancing her eyes at the other ladies, who could not
restrain their mirth.

"Oh! Doctor Plausible, that shock has so affected my nerves, I feel
that I shall faint again, I do indeed--I'm going--"

"Lean upon me, Miss Tavistock, and permit me to conduct you to your
cabin," replied the doctor; "the extreme delicacy of your constitution,"
continued he whispering as they left the cuddy, "is not equal to the
boisterous remedies of Mrs Ferguson."

As they went out, Newton Forster came in.

"You must not be alarmed, ladies, when I state that I am commissioned by
Captain Drawlock to inform you that the stranger's manoeuvres are so
doubtful, that we think she is an enemy. He has desired me to request
you will accept my convoy to the lower-deck, where you will be safe from
accident, in the event of our coming to an engagement. Mr Ferguson,
the captain intrusts the ladies to your charge, and requests that you
will not leave them upon any consideration. Now, Mrs Ferguson, will
you permit me to escort you to a place of security?"

At this intelligence Laura Revel stared, Charlotte burst into tears, and
Isabel turned pale. Mrs Ferguson took the arm of Newton without saying
a word, when the other was o