“Thank you, captain,” replied Sir Philip Grayner. “The gentleman with me is Lord Fillgrove,” he added in a low tone.
“Another sprig of nobility,” thought O’Hara, as he descended to the boat.
The well-trained crew gave way at the order of the coxswain, and the cutter was soon alongside of the Ville d’Angers. The vessel was only waiting for the pilot; but the time fixed for him to be on board had not yet arrived. The cutter was hoisted up at the davits, and secured for the voyage. The other cutter had not yet returned from the shore, where she had gone with a party of the students who had liberty to visit the city. Leave had been freely granted; and in no case had it been abused, so far as the officers were aware. If any of the young men had drank beer, or other dangerous fluids, their condition when they returned did not indicate such indulgence.
About half an hour after the return of the captain, a boat containing the two applicants for passage to Funchal, with their bags and luggage, came alongside. The bringing of their baggage implied that they had a strong expectation of obtaining what they desired. They were permitted to come on board, and presented their application to the Prince.
“We are entirely willing to pay our passage,” said the baronet.
“By all means, we shall do that,” added the one with the lordly title.
“That is no particular object with us,” replied the Prince. “We should not take you for the money you may pay.”
“We will at least pay for our diet and the wines we drink,” said Sir Philip.
“We don’t sell rum on this steamer,” replied Mr. Frisbone, very decidedly. “If you can’t get along without wine, I think you had better take passage in some other vessel. We don’t furnish any thing to drink for anybody; and, what’s more, we don’t allow any wine or liquor to be used about the steamer.”
“That’s a matter of no consequence,” added Sir Philip, looking at his companion, and giving him a sly wink when he was sure he was not observed.