And then, Julia—who had been to him as his own child, whose young life he had seen increase and develop till the bud was promising to be a lovely flower—seemed so happy. Everything was so new to the young girl, fresh from her life of retirement, and now thrust into a society where she was at once made queen. There was a smile and a pull at the forelock from every sailor, while every soldier of Captain Otway’s company was ready to salute as soon as she came on deck.
The bluff old captain of the Sea King took her at once under his protection, and settled her place at table; while his officers vied with each other in their attentions. As for Philip Eaton, he was more than satisfied with the behaviour of Mrs Captain Otway, and he did not believe her when, in a free-and-easy way, she clapped him on the shoulder and said:
“It is not on your account, Phil Eaton—handsome youth, who falleth in love with every pretty woman he sees—but because I like the little lady. However, my boy, your flirtation is nearly over.”
“Nearly over, Mrs Otway!” he cried warmly. “Flirtation? Don’t call it by that wretched name.”
“There, I told Jack so, and he laughed at me. It is serious, then?”
“Serious! I mean to be married this time.”
“Pooh! nonsense, Phil. Absurd!”
“Was it absurd for you to make a runaway match with John Otway!”
“No; but then we loved each other passionately.”
“Well, and do not we?”