The sailor laughed, saying, "Ah! I'm a deal slyer than you imagine."
A hearty laugh followed this speech, then, hooking his arm within that of the eccentric captain, the delighted Oldcrackle conducted his relation into the drawing-room, where they found every one engaged in playing whist.
Thompson was pretty well employed in imbibing soda and brandy until a late hour, and was far from sober, when Oldcrackle, who had also taken a great deal more wine than his usual quantity, challenged him to play a game of whist, to which the sailor solemnly agreed. Alayā was watching them from the verandah. Seeing the girl, her master bade her fetch him a pack of cards. When she brought them into the room, Jerry caught her round the waist, and "declared he would marry her, if they would only schend for a parson." Up sprang the guests, who crowded round the "captain," and enjoyed the scene immensely.
"Yesh," added the sailor, with the greatest gravity, "I'll marry her, she is the best and mosth beautifullish girl I ever met in all my bornish daish."
"Let me go, sahib! let me go!"
"No, you beaufiflish girlsh in the world. I'll keep you heresh for ever, and die with you in my armsh."
After a little persuasion he released the trembling Alayā, and was led to bed by his host, murmuring all the time that "Alayer was the only angel he had ever seen."
"The idea of his spooning over little Alayā!" observed one of the guests.
"He's mad!" said another.
"Not at all, gentlemen, he's like all naval men,—rather susceptible, and Alayā's pretty face has turned his brain; he is a thoroughly good fellow, so let us drink the health of Captain Puffeigh, and that of his officers and crew," observed Oldcrackle, who now returned.