"I doubt it not. As for Jack Pentecrosse, an old playfellow, he is like me. He loves her as if she was his sister, but he desires nothing but the knowledge of the girl's happiness."
"I accept your assurance, captain, that he will not endeavour to seek her or to visit her."
"He will not. My lord," the captain became very serious, "I can promise you a well-conditioned, virtuous, modest, obedient, and dutiful wife. She will ask for nothing but a continuance of your lordship's affection and consideration, in return for which she will be your willing servant as well as your wife."
"Again, captain, I doubt it not. Else I should not be here."
"And when the day comes—when you pass the word, my lord—the bells shall ring and the music shall play and all the town shall make holiday, and we will have such a feast and merrymaking that all the country round shall ring with it. Lord, I am so happy!"
"But, captain, I have not yet received the consent of the lady."
"Be assured that you will have it. But the girl is shy and hesitates, being, to say the truth, dazzled by the rank to which she is to be raised. A young maid's modesty will perhaps hinder such freedom of speech as you would naturally desire."
"I hope, sir, that I am able to appreciate and value the virtue of modesty. All I ask of the young lady is her consent."
"Of that you may be assured beforehand."
"Then, captain, as this is an occasion of some awkwardness and one which it is well to get through as quickly as possible——" Did one ever hear of such a lover? "Well, to get through as quickly as possible," his first interview with his mistress. "You will perhaps bring Miss Molly to me or take me to her."