Before Flora could answer these questions, Miss Mann addressed her with great asperity of look and manner—
“Perhaps, Madam, you are not aware that it is against the regulations of these vessels, to admit servants into the state cabin.”
“I am sorry, ladies,” said Flora, rather proudly, “that the presence of mine should incommode you. I have only just recovered from a dangerous illness, and am unable at present to take the whole charge of the child myself. I have paid for my servant’s attendance upon me in the cabin, and I am certain that she will conduct herself in a manner not to offend the prejudices of any one here.”
“How unpleasant,” grumbled the old maid, as she turned disdainfully on her heel; “but what else can be expected from under-bred people.”
“Send away your nurse,” said Miss Leigh, in a low voice, to Mrs. Lyndsay; “her presence gives, it seems, great offence to certain people, and, if I may judge by her pale looks, she will be of little service to you; I will help you to take care of your sweet baby.”
Flora immediately complied with Miss Leigh’s request. Hannah was dismissed, and, indeed, the poor girl had enough to do to take care of herself.
Towards evening the wind rose to a gale, and Flora, who had not suffered from sickness during her two disastrous trips to sea, became so alarmingly ill, that she was unable to attend to the infant, or assist herself. Miss Leigh, like a good Samaritan, sat up with her during the night, but in the morning she was so much worse, that she earnestly requested that her husband might be allowed to see her.
Her petition was warmly seconded by Miss Leigh, but met with a decided refusal from the rest of the lady-passengers. Mrs. Dalton, who took a very prominent part in the matter, sprang from her berth, and, putting her back against the cabin door, declared, “That no man save the surgeon should gain, with her consent, an entrance there!”
“Then I hope, Madam,” said Miss Leigh, who was supporting Flora in her arms, “that you will adhere to your own regulations, and dismiss your black boy.”
“I shall do no such thing; my objection is to men, and not to boys.—Hector, remain where you are!”