'Miss Bannerbridge?' she said.
A stranger was present. The squire introduced us.
'My grandson, Harry Richmond, Captain William Bulsted, frigate Polyphemus; Captain Bulsted, Master Augustus Temple.'
For the sake of conversation, Temple asked him if his ship was fully manned.
'All but a mate,' said the captain.
I knew him by reputation as the brother of Squire Gregory Bulsted of Bulsted, notorious for his attachment to my aunt, and laughing-stock of the county.
'So you've got a valentine,' the captain addressed me. 'I went on shore at Rio last year on this very day of the month, just as lively as you youngsters for one. Saltwater keeps a man's youth in pickle. No valentine for me! Paid off my ship yesterday at Spithead, and here I am again on Valentine's Day.'
Temple and I stared hard at a big man with a bronzed skin and a rubicund laugh who expected to receive valentines.
My aunt thrust the letter back to me secretly. 'It must be from a lady,' said she.
'Why, who'd have a valentine from any but a lady?' exclaimed the captain.