"He is a seaman, I believe," observed Mrs. Bloomfield, with an abstracted manner--"he must have been, to have manoeuvred and managed as I have been told he did. Powis--Powis--that is not one of our names, neither--I should think he must be from the south."
Here Eve's habitual truth and dignity of mind did her good service, and prevented any further betrayal of embarrassment.
"We do not know his family," she steadily answered. "That he is a gentleman, we see; but of his origin and connections he never speaks."
"His profession would have given him the notions of a gentleman, for he was in the navy I have heard, although I had thought it the British navy. I do not know of any Powises in Philadelphia, or Baltimore, or Richmond, or Charleston; he must surely be from the interior."
Eve could scarcely condemn her friend for a curiosity that had not a little tormented herself, though she would gladly change the discourse.
"Mr. Powis would be much gratified, did he know what a subject of interest he has suddenly become with Mrs. Bloomfield," she said, smiling.
"I confess it all; to be very sincere, I think him the most distinguished young man, in air, appearance, and expression of countenance, I ever saw. When this is coupled with what I have heard of his gallantry and coolness, my dear, I should not be woman to feel no interest in him. I would give the world to know of what State he is a native, if native, in truth, he be."
"For that we have his own word. He was born in this country, and was educated in our own marine."
"And yet from the little that fell from him, in our first short conversation, he struck me as being educated above his profession."
"Mr. Powis has seen much as a traveller; when we met him in Europe, it was in a circle particularly qualified to improve both his mind and his manners."