Sinclair.

'Thank heaven,' cried Josephine, raising the wine glass to her vermilion
lips--'we are at last clear of that odious New York! I feel as if just
liberated from a prison.'

'The feeling is natural, my dear,' rejoined her mother--'you are no
longer in constant dread of that horrible fellow who is so savagely
amorous with regard to both of us. We have fairly given him the slip,
and it will be difficult for him to find us.'

'Don't you think, mamma,' asked the young lady--'that the Captain, who
so politely surrendered this beautiful cabin for our accommodation, is a
splendid fellow? Really, I am quite smitten with him.'

'So am I,' remarked her mother--'he is certainly very handsome, and it
is hard that he should be turned out of his cabin on our account. Why
cannot we all three sleep here? I am sure he needs but a hint to make
him joyfully agree to such an arrangement.'

'I understand you mamma,' said Josephine, her eyes sparking with
pleasure--'you will see what a delicate invitation I'll give him; but I
won't be selfish--you shall enjoy as much benefit from the arrangement
as myself. Hark! somebody knocks--it must be the Captain.'

And so it was; he had come to inquire if the ladies were comfortable,
and on receiving an affirmative answer, was about to bid them good
night and depart, when Josephine invited him to sit down and have a
glass of wine with them. It was not in the nature of the good Captain to
decline an invitation when extended by a pretty woman. The mother and
daughter, tastefully attired in superb evening dresses, looked
irresistibly charming--the more so, perhaps, because their cheeks were
suffused with the rosy hues of wine and passion.

'I have been thinking, Captain,' said Josephine, casting her brilliant
eyes upon the carpet--'that it is unjust for us to drive you from your
cabin, and make you pass the night in some less comfortable place.
Mother and I have been talking about it, and we both think you had
better sleep in here, as usual.'

'What--and drive you ladies out?' cried the Captain--'couldn't think of
it, upon my honor.'

'Oh, it doesn't necessarily follow that we must be driven out,' said
Josephine, raising her eyes to his face, and smiling archly--'you silly
man, don't you see that we want to be very kind to you?'

'Is it possible?' exclaimed the Captain, almost beside himself with
joy--'dear ladies, you cannot be jesting, and I accept your offer with
gratitude and deli