“Who would not be a father, Mrs Lascelles?” said Pickersgill, quietly seating himself, after having first risen to receive Lord B—.
“And pray, whom may I have the honour of finding established here?” said Lord B—, in an angry tone, speaking over his daughter’s head, who still lay in his arms. “By heavens, yes!—Stewart, it is the smuggling captain dressed out.”
“Even so, my lord,” replied Pickersgill. “You abandoned your yacht to capture me; you left these ladies in a vessel crippled for want of men; they might have been lost. I have returned good for evil by coming on board with my own people, and taking charge of them. This night I expected to have anchored your vessel in Cowes, and have left them in safety.”
“By the—” cried Stewart.
“Stop, sir, if you please!” cried Pickersgill; “recollect you have once already attacked one who never offended. Oblige me by refraining from intemperate language; for I tell you I will not put up with it. Recollect, sir, that I have refrained from that, and also from taking advantage of you when you were in my power. Recollect, sir, also, that the yacht is still in possession of the smugglers, and that you are in no condition to insult with impunity. My lord, allow me to observe, that we men are too hot of temperament to argue or listen coolly. With your permission, your friend, and my friend, and I, will repair on deck, leaving you to hear from your daughter and that lady all that has passed. After that, my lord, I shall be most happy to hear anything which your lordship may please to say.”
“Upon my word—” commenced Mr Stewart.
“Mr Stewart,” interrupted Cecilia Ossulton, “I request your silence; nay, more, if ever we are again to sail in the same vessel together, I insist upon it.”
“Your lordship will oblige me by enforcing Miss Ossulton’s request,” said Mrs Lascelles.
Mr Stewart was dumbfounded—no wonder—to find the ladies siding with the smuggler.
“I am obliged to you, ladies, for your interference,” said Pickersgill; “for, although I have the means of enforcing conditions, I should be sorry to avail myself of them. I wait for his lordship’s reply.”