Mrs. Camelford.—Indeed, I am afraid she ought not to venture the slightest risk. Lieutenant Osbrook has politely offered accommodation for the whole family, in one of the gun-boats at Kensington, and I have accepted the invitation for Adrian and Octavia, as Junius is to be on board the frigate. I believe my dear Cornelia must content herself with hearing a description of the launch from her brothers and sister. I cannot consent to her sitting an hour or two on the deck of the gun-boat, in the open air, with the breeze from the river blowing round her.
Cornelia.—Indeed, mother, I am very sorry, I hoped to be quite well and able to go any where, before the launch took place.
Junius.—Still, I think there can be no danger. Her delight at the spectacle will set her blood in a glow, as it has mine already, and that will prevent her taking cold.
Mrs. Camelford.—My dear children, do not urge me any farther. The sight will no doubt be highly interesting, but it will be dearly purchased by the return of Cornelia's late illness.
Cornelia did not reply, but she kissed her mother in token of acquiescence, and seated herself in a corner of the sofa with her sewing. In a few minutes her brother Adrian brought her in a new and entertaining book, which he had just purchased with the hope that it would divert her mind from dwelling on her disappointment. Cornelia took the book very gratefully, but though it was extremely amusing, her thoughts still wandered, at times, to Kensington and the new frigate.
In the course of the morning Mrs. Camelford had a visit from her friend, Mrs. Dimsdale, who expressed great pleasure at finding Cornelia down stairs, and hoped she was well enough to go to see the ship launched.
Mrs. Camelford explained that she had refused Cornelia her permission to join the little party in the gun-boat, being afraid of her taking cold if exposed to the air of the river. "Oh! if that is all," said Mrs. Dimsdale, "the difficulty, I hope, can be easily obviated. Mr. Dimsdale and myself are going to take the children up to Kensington in one of the steam-boats. You know the boats are all put in requisition for the accommodation of persons that wish to see the show. If you will permit Cornelia to accompany our family, she can stay all the time in the cabin, and have an excellent view from the stern windows, without any exposure at all."
Cornelia's eyes turned upon her mother, with a look of entreaty. Mrs. Camelford hesitated a few moments, and Octavia ventured again to supplicate in behalf of her sister. At last, Cornelia obtained permission to go with the Dimsdales: and it was arranged that Mrs. Camelford's carriage was to take them down to the steam-boat, after which it was to return immediately and convey the other party to Kensington.
When Adrian came home from school, and Junius from the ship-yard, (where he had almost lived for several days,) the boys were delighted to find that Cornelia was, at last, allowed an opportunity of seeing the launch. They had an early dinner, of which Lieutenant and Mrs. Osbrook had been invited to partake, and in a short time after the carriage was at the door. Cornelia was carefully wrapped in her large shawl, and Mrs. Camelford said to her, "Now, my dear, you must promise me that you will remain all the time in the cabin of the boat, and not allow yourself to be tempted to go on deck, even for a few moments." "Certainly, dear mother," replied Cornelia, "I will cheerfully make that promise, for I am thankful that you will allow me to see the frigate on any terms." Mrs. Camelford kissed Cornelia, and her brothers put her into the carriage, which, on its way down to the wharf, stopped to take up Mr. and Mrs. Dimsdale and their two children.
Cornelia felt very happy at finding herself once more riding through the streets, after so long a confinement to her chamber. Every well known store and house seemed to interest her as she passed, and all the people she saw appeared to her to look unusually well. She soon found herself seated in the after-cabin of the steam-boat, which was crowded with females, and so warm that Cornelia had no occasion to wear her shawl: her mother having told her that she might take it off, if she found it oppressive.