I looked at the young midshipman; and, darkened as the room was, I saw the rogue laughing heartily in his sleeve.
"You seem to have noted a good many of Miss Hudson's peculiarities, however, my dear sir; considering you paid so little attention to her, and had so short a time to take your observation."
"I don't know," said I. "Has she been often in my room since I was wounded, for I have dreamed of such a being, I will not deny?"
A low "Hush" was here breathed from the boudoir. De Walden gave an intelligent nod, and I became suddenly afflicted with deafness, and overtaken by a fidgety fit; so I asked him to assist me to change my position, as it was becoming uneasy, and we both with one accord hauled our wind on the other tack.
"But whose was the male voice that joined so beautifully in the song?"
"Mr Listado's, sir."
"Moin—moy voice—oh, Lord!"—said some one in subdued Tipperary in the next room.
"Come," said De Walden, laughing aloud, "no eavesdropping, if you please."
"Pray, Mr De Walden," said I, "did you perceive the earthquake early this morning? How peculiar the sensation—how undefinable the mysterious noise preceding the shock!"
"I did, sir. We have had several slight shocks lately here, but no one seems to mind them. I was afraid it would disturb you, sir."