It was with the former, not the latter, for the captain was on his way to Saint James’s Square, to keep an appointment at Lord Loganstone’s, and before long he was in earnest converse with Lady Jenny Wildersey, his lordship’s youngest daughter, one of the most fashionable beauties of her day.
“Yes,” said the captain, after nearly half an hour’s preliminary conversation. “It is in the course of duty, and I must go.”
“La!” said her ladyship, with a very sweet smile. “But couldn’t you send someone else!”
“At the call of duty!” cried the captain. “No. Besides, you would not wish me to stay under such circumstances as those.”
“La!” said her ladyship, as, after a show of resistance, she surrendered her lily-white hand, and suffered it to be kissed.
“And how long will it take you to capture this terrible buccaneer?”
“I shall be away for months,” said the captain.
“La!” said the lady.
“But I shall fight like some knight-errant of old, and fly back.”
“La!” said the lady.