The sails of these vessels5 had been furled, and the bright April breeze blowing from the sea sang in their clean rigging. A couple of planks7 communicated between the Minorca's gangway and the wharf8, and at the wharf-end of these planks stood a man of a seafaring aspect, apparently9 belonging to the barque.
As Lucy advanced holding her dog lest[Pg 49] the creature should skip in a fit of excitement into the water, the man viewed her as though on catching10 her eye, or receiving the encouragement of a look of recognition, he was prepared to salute11 her. Perhaps she did not heed12 him, but on drawing close to the vessel6, she looked at him, and thanks to that gracious gift which by creating opportunities for tact13, helps more to render the individual beloved or popular than perhaps any other quality, she immediately recollected15 the man, and not only the man, but his name, as Mr John Eagle, mate of the Minorca, who, when the vessel was last in harbour and she had gone on board of her with her father, had been introduced to her by Captain Acton.
He was a man of rough appearance whose hand had been in the tar-bucket for most of his life—a hard, reserved man, shy, so ignorant that he read with difficulty, and wrote his name as painfully as a hand tortured with gout inscribes16 with the pen.
"How do you do, Mr Eagle?" exclaimed Lucy.
He stiffened17 himself, and saluted18 her by a flourish of his hand to his brow, and answered: "Just about middling, thank you, Miss."
"I am sorry you are not better than middling," she said.
[Pg 50]
"It's the rheumatics. It's got into my feet and my shoulders. It's a pain as no spirits can stand up against."
"Are you doing anything to ease your suffering?"
"I drinks a drop of rum when it comes on very bad. I've given up rubbing. I've been rubbed till I've scarce got any skin left."
"I'll speak to Miss Acton. I am sure she will have something that is good for rheumatism19, and if she has I will send it you."
"I thank you, Miss," said he, with an incredulous smile. "Was you going on board?"
"No. What a big ship she looks compared with the other two! It is difficult to think of her alone in the middle of the sea. I can only imagine her lying at a wharf with protecting hills on each side. Does she sail fast?"
"She will be arriving shortly, I think."
"Doo any day, Miss, unless she's been nabbed, but the vessel that's going to take the Aurora 'ull want more than wings."
"When does the Minorca sail?"
"Early next month, I believe, ma'am."
[Pg 51]
Her eyes reposed21 thoughtfully upon the hull22 of the ship, mounting presently in a stealing way to the heights, and her colour seemed to deepen slightly to the impulse of a romantic mood or fancy.
"If there was nothing to fear from the enemy's ships," she said, "and if the sea was always calm and the breeze gentle and mild, I believe I might wish to make a voyage in the Minorca to the West Indies."
"You'd be taken all care of, ma'am."
"But the sleeping berths23 are very little, and I am certain that the motion of the ship——" She shook her head and smiled, and then saying, "Good morning, Mr Eagle. If my aunt has a remedy for the rheumatism I will send it you," she returned the way she had come, mounted the steps, gained the bridge, and proceeded home.
Meanwhile, Mr Lawrence had gone about three-quarters of a mile and was now approaching his father's home. The Admiral's cottage was in a lane off the main road. It was such an umbrageous25 retreat as Cowper, had he been in earnest, would have hastened to when he sighed for some boundless26 contiguity27 of shade. It stood in a little land protected by hedges and walls full of orchards28. The Admiral lived in the heart of groves29 of cherry, plum, apple, pear, and other fruitful trees which presently,[Pg 52] in this month of April, would make the scene round about as beautiful as driven snow shone upon by the sun, with almond-white flowers.
The Admiral missed the sea; he was near it, nay30, in heavy weather within sound of it, but not a glimpse of the blue deep could be caught through the windows. He had retired31 on a pension and on trifling32 private means which rendered this retreat the fittest he could have chosen for the convenience of his purse and for the simple tastes of his life. Here he lived with an old servant and a young girl, and now with his son; but he was always hoping that this last obligation would not be continuous, though the prospect33 of getting anything to do in such an obscure corner of the earth as Old Harbour Town was as remote as the possibility of Mr Lawrence ever becoming Prime Minister of England. Yet a secret hope, an indeterminable dream, one of those imaginations which make blessed the possessors of the sanguine34 temperament35, buoyed36 the Admiral. Who could tell? Something might happen! Walter might fall in with a man who should prove a friend, even in that very haunt, "The Swan," which seemed obnoxious37 to his interests. Thus the old fellow would reason without logic38, or even knowing what he was talking to himself about.
His mind was full of his son as he sat this[Pg 53] day at his dinner, which was put every afternoon punctually at half-past one upon the table whether Mr Lawrence was at home or whether he was not. The window at which the Admiral was wont39 of a pleasant evening to sit with his pipe was open; the room was small, with a low ceiling, but one should say a very dream of comfort to a nautical40 man. Its walls were embellished41 with pictures of sea-fights, of frigates42 engaging forts, of encounters between line-of-battle ships. A handsome telescope, a gift for some deed of valour, lay in brackets over the small, richly-carved sideboard.
The Admiral sat at table before a meal that betokened44 total neglect on his part of all thought of digestion45. The dinner in short, so far as it had been served, consisted of a round of boiled beef, carrots and turnips46, and a dish of potatoes smoking in their jackets, a stout47 loaf of black crust, a dish of fine yellow butter, and at Sir William's elbow was a silver mug with a thick glass bottom, just filled foaming48 to the brim from a cask of the very best ale at that time brewed49 in England, and in those days a glass of fine ale was a more delicious draught50, more thirst-quenching, more appealing to all the secret feelings of the interior than the finest liquor that has been drunk since, call it what you will.
[Pg 54]
Just as the Admiral was cutting a second helping51 for himself from the round of beef, which being English was choicely tasted, he heard his son's footsteps in the passage outside, and after a short interval52, during which Mr Lawrence fitted himself for the dinner table, that gentleman walked in. He was almost immediately followed by the old housekeeper53 with hot plates. She was very fond of Mr Lawrence. She would listen for his footsteps. He was still "Master Walter" with her, and would remain so. She had once, on hearing of his money troubles, offered to lend him from her slender savings54. But whatever may have been his character he was a sailor in this: he would not take money from a woman.
The Admiral viewed his son critically. The walk home, followed by a sousing of the face in cold water, had helped to attenuate55 the lingering fumes56 in the young man's brains, and on the whole his mind was about as steady as could be expected in one who was always more or less under the influence of drink.
"Have you dined?" asked Sir William.
"No, sir."
This question will not appear strange when it is understood that Mr Lawrence occasionally took a seat at an ordinary at "The Swan," served half an hour after noon.
[Pg 55]
The Admiral cut a plate of meat, and the pair fell to their dinner, the housekeeper reappearing to place such another silver tankard foaming full as graced Sir William's elbow, at the side of Mr Lawrence.
"I met Miss Acton as I was coming home," said Mr Lawrence, "and she said she had left you and her father talking about me."
"Captain Acton and I were talking about you this morning," said the Admiral. "I was lamenting57 your inability to procure58 a berth24 of any sort, and told him that I could see no hope for you whilst you continued to hang about Old Harbour Town, and to lounge in and out of 'The Swan.'"
"You'll admit, sir, that my failure to obtain employment has not been due to neglect in searching for it."
"But what is to be hoped for in a place like this? Here are no industries; there is nothing doing, you cannot turn smacksman or start as a pilot."
"I am extremely anxious to relieve you of the burden of maintaining me, and my fixed59 intention, if I can procure nothing to do between this and next month, is to work my passage out before the mast to the United States. If it should come to the backwoods, I am ready. I confess this life grows [Pg 56]insupportable, and the more burthensome to me because it is a tax upon you, sir."
The Admiral buried half his face in his tankard, and after wiping the froth from his lips and looking earnestly at the round of beef as though he deliberated within himself whether he should take another slice, he said: "I am happy to say that I have good news for you. An opportunity has been offered which will do away with the need of your shipping60 before the mast and seeking your fortune in America. The Minorca, as you doubtless know, is in want of a captain. I was speaking about you to Captain Acton this morning, and regretting, as I must continue to regret whilst I have the capacity of a sigh—I do not say a tear—left in me, that you should relinquish61 the Service in which, had you behaved with prudence62, you were eminently63 calculated to make a shining figure."
The gallant64 old officer paused and looked at his son, and any one could have easily seen that he was equally moved by pain and pride. Indeed the man who sat opposite to him was one who by manly65 beauty of face, worn as it was by weather and excess, by vigorous bearing of shapely person, and by a story which, brief as it was, was as full of the stars of gallant deeds as a short scope of wake is[Pg 57] alive with the brilliant pulses of the sea-glow, was one, let it be repeated, whom many a father's heart would rejoice in, and approve of, bitterly as it must deplore66 those lamentable67, if fashionable, weaknesses, gambling68 and a love of what Dibdin calls the "flowing can."
Mr Lawrence had closed his knife and fork and swallowed half his tankard of ale, when the Admiral halted in his speech. He regarded his father with eager earnestness. But the Admiral was not to be interrupted in his further disclosure. Having ascertained69 that his son wished for no more beef, he went to the fire-place and pulled a bell-rope, and it was not until the housekeeper had removed the joint70 and vegetables and replaced them by a dish of Norfolk dumplings with white sauce sweetened and brandied—a homely71 dish of which Sir William was uncommonly72 fond—that the old gentleman proceeded.
"I may now tell you," said he, "that Captain Acton this morning, on my expressing my regret that you could not obtain employment, most handsomely and liberally made you the offer of the command of a ship, the Minorca."
Mr Lawrence's face lighted up, but the expression was curious; it was composite; it seemed to be lacking in the elementary quality[Pg 58] of exultation73 or rejoicing which naturally would have been sought for or expected.
"He is very kind," said he. "I should like the berth."
"He proposes that you should take the vessel out to the West Indies and bring her home. He pays twelve pounds a month, and gives a commission on the earnings74 of the ship. What do you say?"
"Why, sir, of course I accept without hesitation75, and feel most deeply obliged."
"It is a step," continued the Admiral, "that may lead to other and even better things. But first and foremost it finds you in employment, and will put some money into your pocket, and relieve the pressure which not only you but I am made to feel. I do not choose that Mr Greyquill should visit me. Yet he calls to enquire76 after you."
"He is a very impertinent old man, and why he should call here to see me when he knows that every day I am within a stone's throw of his office, I cannot tell. He'll get his head broke if he troubles you, sir."
"Captain Acton wishes to see you at eight o'clock this evening. You'll be there?"
"Oh, depend upon it. This is a great offer. He is extremely obliging."
"And I must hope," said the Admiral, "since this opportunity has been brought[Pg 59] about by me, that you will do me the justice to take care to present yourself in such a state as shall not excite his resentment77, or, which is worse, result in the cancellation78 of his offer."
The old gentleman spoke79 with sternness, and held his eyes fastened upon his son, who cried: "Oh sir, I am not such a fool as to run any risks with this stroke of fortune."
"You will present yourself at eight," said the Admiral a little more softly, "and I have no doubt whatever that you will receive the offer which will be properly executed to-morrow. I believe that the Minorca sails early next month. You will have time to obtain the few clothes you may require. The dress of the Merchant sailor is inexpensive. Indeed, a man in the Merchant Service dresses as he pleases. It is a warm voyage, and you'll find a few white clothes useful. I do not suppose you'll be expected to know anything about stowage and the like. But you will pick up what you want as you go. Captain Acton spoke of the mate as a respectable, though illiterate80 man. He doubtless understands his part, and little more will be expected from you than the navigation of the ship to her port, a careful attention to your owner's interests, and a strict execution of such commands as you may receive with regard[Pg 60] to obtaining a freight and matters of that sort, of which I confess I am ignorant."
Sir William now rose from the table and went to an armchair at the open window, upon the seat or ledge81 of which stood a jar of tobacco, some clay pipes, and a little machine for firing a match dipped in brimstone, a very ingenious contrivance as old as the days of the second Charles: namely, a little pistol-shaped fire-maker whose trigger struck a full and brilliant spark from the flint and kindled82 the tinder. He filled his pipe and lighted it, and sat in conversation with his son, in whom the particular humour or mood would have been extremely hard to settle by the most sagacious of critical observers. He was speedy in answering his father, and his language did not show much abstraction of mind; but even the Admiral noticed that there was an undercurrent of thought in his son which was pursuing a very different course from the stream as it appeared on the surface.
Sir William, however, was a man not in the habit of taking long or deep views. His son was thinking of his good luck, of his meeting that evening with Captain Acton, of the opportunities for advancement83 which now lay before him, and these reflections would naturally colour his manner and make him[Pg 61] appear somewhat strange to those who knew him best.
Captain Acton received Mr Lawrence in his library, a small but very elegant room. It was lighted by wax candles on the table and wax candles on the chimney-piece. Its walls were covered with valuable books in finely carved cases. Captain Acton was reading when Mr Lawrence was announced. He immediately put down his book and rose. It would have been easy to see that he was struck by and pleased with the fine figure and handsome face of Mr Lawrence as he strode through the doorway84, bowing with dignity and grace as he advanced. Of course the Captain was perfectly85 well acquainted with Mr Lawrence; he had been to his house to dinner on more than one occasion with Sir William; they had met at the Admiral's house and out-of-doors.
Yet Captain Acton appeared to find in Mr Lawrence this evening a quality of bearing, a character of masculine beauty which had not certainly before impressed him to anything like the same degree. He had carefully dressed himself; his manner betokened complete self-possession; his handsome eyes shone clear and steady, and his face exhibited a mind whose command over itself was complete. The worn look partly due to dissipation, partly due to the hard life of the sea which[Pg 62] was often injuriously visible by daylight, was now concealed86 in the soft veil of light shed by the wax candles. They shook hands, and seated themselves.
"Your father has doubtless acquainted you with my object in asking you to call upon me this evening."
"He has, sir."
"Are you willing to accept the command of the Minorca?"
"I am indeed, and have no words in which to convey my thanks to you for your kindness."
"Oh, say no more, sir, about that. I am pleased with the idea of a Naval87 officer being in charge of my ship."
And here Captain Acton again viewed the face and form of the young man with a pleasure and satisfaction the other could scarcely miss, though it was delicately tempered by Acton's natural gravity and his well-bred air. And now for a short time the conversation wholly referred to the business part of the compact. Captain Acton named the terms, stated the nature of the voyage and his expectations, spoke of the cargo and the consignees, and of his agent at Kingston. Mr Lawrence listened with intelligence, and the questions which he put were all to the point.
"The rig of the vessel," said Captain Acton,[Pg 63] "is unusual. She is called a barque. The idea of fore43 and aft canvas only upon the mizzen-mast is French. I am told that rig is very handy in stays. Do you know the ship, sir?"
"I was never on board of her, but I know her very well. I admire her figure, though I do not think she is so finely moulded as your schooner, the Aurora."
"Oh, certainly not, and as a consequence the Aurora sails two feet to the Minorca's one. That schooner is almost due. She is commonly very punctual. She earns more money than the Minorca. No doubt all will have been well with her until she enters the Chops. But the Western squadrons have done great work. They have swept the French corsairs off the narrow waters and huddled88 the lily-livered rogues89 into their own ports. The Minorca is lightly armed: four eighteen-pounder carronades, for her business is to run and not to chase. You'll have to keep a bright look-out, sir. Your business must be to give your heels to everything that stirs your suspicion."
"I assure you, sir," said Mr Lawrence, with a smile which added a freshness to his beauty by that light, "that I have no idea of taking command of your ship with a view to a French prison."
[Pg 64]
After some further conversation to this effect, during which it was manifest that Captain Acton was very well satisfied with the generous resolution he had formed that morning to offer the command of the Minorca to Sir William's son, he left his chair and conducted Mr Lawrence to the drawing-room.
Wax candles burning purely90 and softly in sconces and candelabra illuminated91 an interior of singular elegance92 and rich in luxury. Lucy started from the piano, the sounds of which had been audible outside before the gentleman opened the door. Her beauty, her costume were in exquisite93 keeping with the objects which filled that room, the repository of the tasteful and sumptuous94 selections of several generations of Actons. Lucy's garb95 was the picturesque96 attire97 of that age: the neck and a portion of the bosom98 were exposed; a handsome medallion brooch decorated the bust99; the arms were bare to above the elbows; the girdle gave her gown a waist just under the bosom. In that light all that was tender and lovely in her gained in softness, sweetness, and delicacy100. Her rich bloom had the divine tenderness of the flush of sunset when in the east the velvet101 deeps are enriched with the diamond-throb of the first of the stars.
Not far from the large old-fashioned hearth[Pg 65] beside a little table on which stood a work-basket, sat in a tall-backed arm-chair fit for a queen to be crowned in, a figure that must have carried the memory of a middle-aged102 or old man of that time well back into the past century. She was Miss Acton, Lucy's Aunt Caroline, sister of Captain Acton, a lady of about seventy years of age, who trembled with benevolence103 and imaginary alarms, who was always doing somebody good, and was now at work upon some baby clothing for an infant that had been born a week or two before.
She belonged to a race whose extinction104 Francis Grose lamented105. She was what was termed an antiquated106 gentlewoman whose dress was a survival of the fashion of two if not three earlier generations: consisting of a stiff-starched107 cap and hood108, a little hoop109 and a rich silk damask gown with large flowers. She acted as housekeeper to her brother, and the keys of the cupboards jingled110 at her side. She was choice in her stores, which included cordial waters, cherry and raspberry brandy, Daffy's Elixir111, pots of currant jelly and raspberry jam, and her stock also comprised salves, electuaries, and purges112 for the poor. When she walked she leaned, perhaps a little affectedly113, on an ivory-handled crutch114 stick, and a fat pug dog rolled in her wake. This pug now snored alongside of her, and the[Pg 66] little terrier slept with its paws upon the pug's stomach.
Mr Lawrence was extremely easy. There was nothing of the embarrassment115 in the presence of ladies which is often visible even in well-bred men who have fallen from their estate, and pass their days in liquor and in looking in and out of such haunts as "The Swan." Indeed, his well-governed behaviour had something of a pre-determined air as of a man who acts a part and with all the resolution of his soul means to carry it through, though he may be obstructed116 by physical pain or by mental distress117.
After a few airy nothings of salutation and the like had been exchanged and all were seated, Captain Acton said: "Lucy, I am now to introduce Mr Lawrence to you in a new character; he is the captain of the Minorca."
"What is that you say?" cried Aunt Caroline, starting in her chair and peering over her gold-rimmed glasses at Mr Lawrence.
"I have given Mr Lawrence the command of my ship, sister," said Captain Acton.
"The news does not surprise me," said Lucy. "I think I told you this morning, sir, that Sir William wished to see you. Do you like the idea of commanding the Minorca?"
"Very much indeed, madam. My inclination118 leans wholly towards the Merchant Service.[Pg 67] I would rather command the Minorca than a line-of-battle ship."
He smiled faintly, as though he guessed she would not believe this, and she could not miss the expression of bitterness in his smile which, as she was well acquainted with the story of his career, she perfectly understood. In truth she felt a little grieved for him. It was pitiful to think of so handsome and gallant a young fellow descending120 from the lofty platform of the King's Service to take charge of a poor little Merchant vessel whose one officer, a mate, was as ignorant and common a fellow as any that could be found in the 'tween decks of a man-of-war, remote from the society of the ward119 and gun rooms, though on board the Minorca Mr Eagle would be Mr Lawrence's associate.
"Are you not afraid to take the command of a ship, sir?" enquired121 Miss Acton, who continued to peer at Mr Lawrence over her glasses.
"Afraid, madam!"
"Afraid, sister!" echoed Captain Acton. "Your question reminds me of a story of Lord Howe: a lieutenant122 having reported the ship on fire returned, and said that his lordship need not feel afraid as the fire was out. 'Afraid!' exclaimed Howe, 'How does a man feel when he is afraid? I need not ask how he looks!'"
[Pg 68]
"It is such a very serious undertaking," said Miss Acton. "I cannot imagine a more responsible position than that of captain of a ship. If she sinks or is consumed by fire or strikes upon the rocks and the people perish, the captain, whether he survives or not, is answerable. If he dies with the people he goes before God, who judges him. It is dreadful. If I commanded a ship and lost lives, I could never sleep. I should not know what to do for seeing the spirits of the dead. I should feel that they all looked to me to return them their lives, and how terrible it must be to feel helpless when you are pleaded to by spirits who wring123 their hands and wail124."
Mr Lawrence viewed the old lady with silent astonishment125.
"If all thought like you, aunt," said Lucy, "we should get no captains at all for our ships, and how delighted the French would be to learn that our men-of-war could not leave port because captains were not to be got."
She received a smile full of perception of her point from Mr Lawrence.
"Well, I did not think of it in that way," said Miss Acton, who was active again with her needle and talking at her work. "Of course we must have captains for our men-of-war. I hope there is no fresh news of invasion."
[Pg 69]
"Nothing more since the privateersman was run in," said Captain Acton.
"Oh, aunt, whilst I think of it," cried Lucy, "poor Mr Eagle, the mate of the Minorca, is suffering badly from rheumatism in his ankles. He can hardly stand. I told him that I would ask you to send him something to ease him."
"I am sure I do not know what is good for rheumatism," said Miss Acton, with the petulance126 that attends a sudden anxiety of benevolence. "It is a most troublesome disease. You may rub and rub, and you only make it fly to another place, and often rubbing takes the skin off. I will send him some sulphur to put in his stockings, and I will see what else there is to be done for the poor man." And here, looking over her glasses again at Mr Lawrence, she said: "Pray, can you tell me how Mrs Bigg is, sir?"
"Mrs Bigg, ma'am! I never heard of her."
"She lives at Uphill Cottage, and lay in of a very fine baby a fortnight yesterday, and has done very poorly since. You cannot tell me how she does?"
"I cannot, madam."
At this moment the door was opened and the butler entered with a large sparkling silver tray of refreshments—wines and spirits, and cakes of several kinds. But Mr Lawrence would take nothing. He had done very well,[Pg 70] he said. He had supped handsomely with his father off a round of cold boiled beef. The hospitality of the tray was not pressed upon him; Miss Lucy took some wine and water, and a small draught of cordial waters was placed beside Miss Acton.
"Your father was telling me a few days ago," said Captain Acton, "of a narrow escape of yours, sir."
"I have met with several. To which did he refer?"
"To that of the punt in which you attempted to sail from Plymouth to Falmouth."
Mr Lawrence smiled. When his smile was dictated127 by some honest or candid128 emotion, free from irritation129 or contempt, or any of the passions which make merriment forced and alarming, the expression gave a particular pleasure to the beholder130. It was full of heart, and seemed to lighten his beauty of much of its burden of wear and tear.
"What was the story, sir?" asked Lucy.
"A story of foolhardiness, madam, largely due to my difficulty in foreseeing issues."
The remark appeared to impress Captain Acton, who fastened his eyes upon the speaker.
"I had made up my mind to go from Plymouth to Falmouth in a small punt. She was fourteen feet long. When I had got some distance away, my hat was blown [Pg 71]overboard. I secured the tiller a-lee, threw off my clothes, and jumped after my hat. As I was returning with the hat the sail filled, the boat got way on her and sailed some distance before she came up in the wind. I had almost reached her when she filled again. This happened three or four times. At length I managed by a frantic131 struggle to catch a hold of the rudder, but I was so exhausted132 that it was long before I had strength to get into the boat."
This tale induced Captain Acton to indulge in the recital133 of a hair-breadth escape of his own, but a flow of exciting anecdotes134 was arrested by Miss Acton declaring that she was not strong enough to bear to hear such horrid135, moving stories, particularly just a little before bed-time.
Lucy was somewhat puzzled by Mr Lawrence. His behaviour was cool, gentleman-like, distant, cautious, entirely136 sober, and for the most part he expressed himself with a high degree of intelligence. She could not but remember that in the morning when, to be sure, he might be said to have been "flown with wine and insolence," he had, with a passion which assuredly borrowed nothing of heat from liquor, plucked a daisy and bade her put it to her sweet lips and return it to him, and he had then concealed the little[Pg 72] flower in his pocket as the only sacred treasure he possessed137. This evening his bearing was on the whole as formal and collected as though she was but an acquaintance in whose company he could sit without being overcome by her charms. The passion of the morning was genuine and sincere, drink or no drink; the behaviour this evening was calculated and extraordinary. Perhaps in the delicate candlelight she might not catch every expression of eye, every movement of mouth, every shade of change in the expression of the whole face, so that she would justly imagine she had missed through defective138 illumination the impassioned look, the swift pencilling by rapture139 of the lineaments which her maiden's intuition gave her eloquently140 and convincingly to know must be the secret homage141 of his heart, let him mask his handsome and worn face as he would.
"I wish, madam," said he, "that you would return to the piano at which we interrupted you.
"Papa will not thank me for making a noise."
"Oh, my dear, don't say that. I am quite sure that if you will play, Mr Lawrence will afterwards sing, and I shall be charmed to hear you, sir, for I recollect14 your sweet and powerful voice both here and at your father's."
[Pg 73]
"There is little that I would not do to oblige you, sir," answered Mr Lawrence, and going to the piano he stood beside it, as though waiting for Lucy to seat herself at the instrument.
"Lucy, my dear," exclaimed Miss Acton, "play 'Now, Goody, Please to Moderate,' or 'My Lodging142 is on the Cold Ground,' or 'Sally in our Alley143.' I do not care which. They are all very beautiful, and I know no song, brother, that carries me back like 'Sally in our Alley.' Do you remember how finely our father used to sing it? He was at Dr Burney's one night, sir," said she, talking to Mr Lawrence, "when a famous Italian singer of that day—who was it now?—she was as yellow as a guinea, and her hoops144 were so large there were many doors she could not pass through—who was it now? But no matter; after my father had sung she stepped over to him, and curtsying as though she would sit before him, she said: 'I have often heard this song sung and thought nothing of it. But now, sir, I shall ever regard it as the loveliest composition in English music.'"
"Ay, father had a very fine voice, to be sure," said Captain Acton, "and so has Mr Lawrence."
Lucy had now taken her seat at the piano,[Pg 74] and as the airs her aunt desired were well known to her, she played them from ear, whilst Miss Acton in her stiff-backed chair, kept time, with much facial demonstration145 of enjoyment146, with her starched cap and hood.
"Will you now sing us a song, Mr Lawrence?" exclaimed Captain Acton.
"With the greatest pleasure. What should it be?" As Miss Acton loved "Sally in our Alley," he would be happy to sing it.
Lucy touched the keys.
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cargo
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| n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物 | |
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2
wharves
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| n.码头，停泊处( wharf的名词复数 ) | |
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3
moored
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| adj. 系泊的 动词moor的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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schooner
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| n.纵帆船 | |
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vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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6
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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planks
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| （厚）木板( plank的名词复数 )； 政纲条目，政策要点 | |
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wharf
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| n.码头，停泊处 | |
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9
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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10
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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11
salute
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| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
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12
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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13
tact
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| n.机敏，圆滑，得体 | |
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14
recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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15
recollected
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| adj.冷静的；镇定的；被回忆起的；沉思默想的v.记起，想起( recollect的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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16
inscribes
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| v.写，刻( inscribe的第三人称单数 ) | |
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17
stiffened
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| 加强的 | |
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18
saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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19
rheumatism
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| n.风湿病 | |
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20
aurora
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| n.极光 | |
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21
reposed
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| v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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22
hull
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| n.船身；(果、实等的)外壳；vt.去(谷物等)壳 | |
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23
berths
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| n.（船、列车等的）卧铺( berth的名词复数 )；（船舶的）停泊位或锚位；差事；船台vt.v.停泊( berth的第三人称单数 )；占铺位 | |
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24
berth
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| n.卧铺，停泊地，锚位；v.使停泊 | |
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25
umbrageous
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| adj.多荫的 | |
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26
boundless
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| adj.无限的；无边无际的；巨大的 | |
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27
contiguity
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| n.邻近，接壤 | |
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28
orchards
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| （通常指围起来的）果园( orchard的名词复数 ) | |
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29
groves
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| 树丛，小树林( grove的名词复数 ) | |
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30
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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31
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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32
trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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33
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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34
sanguine
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| adj.充满希望的，乐观的，血红色的 | |
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35
temperament
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| n.气质，性格，性情 | |
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36
buoyed
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| v.使浮起( buoy的过去式和过去分词 )；支持；为…设浮标；振奋…的精神 | |
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37
obnoxious
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| adj.极恼人的，讨人厌的，可憎的 | |
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38
logic
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| n.逻辑(学)；逻辑性 | |
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39
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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40
nautical
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|
| adj.海上的，航海的，船员的 | |
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41
embellished
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| v.美化( embellish的过去式和过去分词 )；装饰；修饰；润色 | |
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42
frigates
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| n.快速军舰( frigate的名词复数 ) | |
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43
fore
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| adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部 | |
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44
betokened
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| v.预示，表示( betoken的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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45
digestion
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| n.消化，吸收 | |
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46
turnips
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|
| 芜青( turnip的名词复数 )； 芜菁块根； 芜菁甘蓝块根； 怀表 | |
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48
foaming
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| adj.布满泡沫的；发泡 | |
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49
brewed
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| 调制( brew的过去式和过去分词 )； 酝酿； 沏（茶）； 煮（咖啡） | |
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50
draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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51
helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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52
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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53
housekeeper
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| n.管理家务的主妇，女管家 | |
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54
savings
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| n.存款，储蓄 | |
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55
attenuate
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| v.使变小，使减弱 | |
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56
fumes
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| n.(强烈而刺激的)气味，气体 | |
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57
lamenting
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| adj.悲伤的，悲哀的v.（为…）哀悼，痛哭，悲伤( lament的现在分词 ) | |
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58
procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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59
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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60
shipping
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| n.船运（发货，运输，乘船） | |
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61
relinquish
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| v.放弃，撤回，让与，放手 | |
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62
prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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63
eminently
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| adv.突出地；显著地；不寻常地 | |
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64
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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65
manly
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| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
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66
deplore
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| vt.哀叹，对...深感遗憾 | |
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67
lamentable
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| adj.令人惋惜的，悔恨的 | |
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68
gambling
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| n.赌博；投机 | |
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69
ascertained
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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70
joint
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|
| adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合 | |
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71
homely
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|
| adj.家常的，简朴的；不漂亮的 | |
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72
uncommonly
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| adv. 稀罕(极，非常) | |
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73
exultation
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| n.狂喜，得意 | |
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74
earnings
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| n.工资收人；利润，利益，所得 | |
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75
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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76
enquire
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| v.打听，询问；调查，查问 | |
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77
resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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78
cancellation
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| n.删除，取消 | |
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79
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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80
illiterate
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|
| adj.文盲的；无知的；n.文盲 | |
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81
ledge
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| n.壁架，架状突出物；岩架，岩礁 | |
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82
kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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83
advancement
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| n.前进，促进，提升 | |
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84
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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85
perfectly
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|
| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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86
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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87
naval
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|
| adj.海军的，军舰的，船的 | |
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88
huddled
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| 挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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89
rogues
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|
| n.流氓( rogue的名词复数 )；无赖；调皮捣蛋的人；离群的野兽 | |
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90
purely
|
|
| adv.纯粹地，完全地 | |
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91
illuminated
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|
| adj.被照明的；受启迪的 | |
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92
elegance
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|
| n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙 | |
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93
exquisite
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|
| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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94
sumptuous
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|
| adj.豪华的，奢侈的，华丽的 | |
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95
garb
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| n.服装，装束 | |
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96
picturesque
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|
| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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97
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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98
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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99
bust
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| vt.打破；vi.爆裂；n.半身像；胸部 | |
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100
delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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101
velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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102
middle-aged
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| adj.中年的 | |
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103
benevolence
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| n.慈悲，捐助 | |
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104
extinction
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| n.熄灭，消亡，消灭，灭绝，绝种 | |
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105
lamented
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|
| adj.被哀悼的，令人遗憾的v.（为…）哀悼，痛哭，悲伤( lament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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106
antiquated
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| adj.陈旧的，过时的 | |
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107
starched
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|
| adj.浆硬的，硬挺的，拘泥刻板的v.把（衣服、床单等）浆一浆( starch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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108
hood
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| n.头巾，兜帽，覆盖；v.罩上，以头巾覆盖 | |
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109
hoop
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| n.（篮球）篮圈，篮 | |
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110
jingled
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| 喝醉的 | |
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111
elixir
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| n.长生不老药，万能药 | |
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112
purges
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| 清除异己( purge的名词复数 )； 整肃（行动）； 清洗； 泻药 | |
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113
affectedly
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114
crutch
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| n.T字形拐杖；支持，依靠，精神支柱 | |
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115
embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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116
obstructed
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| 阻塞( obstruct的过去式和过去分词 )； 堵塞； 阻碍； 阻止 | |
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117
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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118
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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119
ward
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| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
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120
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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121
enquired
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| 打听( enquire的过去式和过去分词 )； 询问； 问问题； 查问 | |
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122
lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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123
wring
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| n.扭绞；v.拧，绞出，扭 | |
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124
wail
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| vt./vi.大声哀号，恸哭；呼啸，尖啸 | |
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125
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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126
petulance
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| n.发脾气，生气，易怒，暴躁，性急 | |
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127
dictated
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| v.大声讲或读( dictate的过去式和过去分词 )；口授；支配；摆布 | |
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128
candid
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| adj.公正的，正直的；坦率的 | |
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129
irritation
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| n.激怒，恼怒，生气 | |
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130
beholder
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| n.观看者，旁观者 | |
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131
frantic
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| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
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132
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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133
recital
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| n.朗诵，独奏会，独唱会 | |
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134
anecdotes
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| n.掌故，趣闻，轶事( anecdote的名词复数 ) | |
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135
horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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136
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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137
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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138
defective
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| adj.有毛病的，有问题的，有瑕疵的 | |
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139
rapture
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| n.狂喜；全神贯注；着迷；v.使狂喜 | |
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140
eloquently
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| adv. 雄辩地(有口才地, 富于表情地) | |
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141
homage
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| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
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142
lodging
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| n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍 | |
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143
alley
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| n.小巷，胡同；小径，小路 | |
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144
hoops
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| n.箍( hoop的名词复数 )；（篮球）篮圈；（旧时儿童玩的）大环子；（两端埋在地里的）小铁弓 | |
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145
demonstration
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| n.表明，示范，论证，示威 | |
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146
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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