THE GOOD CAPTAIN WAS DISTRESSED TO SEE HIS DEAR DAUGHTER IN THIS BILIOUS FRAME OF MIND
“My child,” said he, “I grieve to see that you are a prey to melancholy.”
“There’s another verse, Papa,” said Josephine, who rather resented interruption.
“Don’t sing it, my child; your music depresses us both. I want you to look your best to-day, for Sir Joseph Porter will arrive presently to claim your promised hand.”
“Nay, father,” said Josephine, “I can esteem, reverence, even venerate Sir Joseph, for I shouldn’t be surprised if he is a great and good man, but I cannot love him, for, alas! my heart is given!”
“Given!” exclaimed her father, “and to whom? Not to some gilded lordling?”[4]
“No, Papa,” said she, “the object of my affection is no lordling. Oh, pity me, for he is but a humble sailor on board your own ship!”
“Impossible!” said Captain Corcoran.
“Yet it is true,” replied Josephine, “too true!”