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 offered and accepted by Isabel. Mr Ferguson, with the two other sisters, brought up the rear. The ladies had to pass the quarter-deck, and when they saw the preparations, the guns cast loose, the shot lying on the deck, and all the various apparatus for destruction, their fears increased. When they had been conducted to their place of safety, Newton was about to return on deck, when he was seized by Miss Charlotte and Laura Revel, who entreated him not to leave them.
“Do stay with us, Mr Forster; pray don’t go,” cried they both.
“I must indeed, ladies; you are perfectly safe here.”
“For God’s sake, don’t you go away, Mr Forster!” cried Laura, falling on her knees. “I shall die of fright.—You shan’t go!” screamed Laura, as the two sisters clung on to the skirts of his jacket, and effectually prevented his escape, unless, like the patriarch, he had left his garment behind.