'But you know the story,' said Ada, with a trifle of arch sarcasm in her tone; 'why do you want it over again, good Mrs. Porter?'
'We love to drink from the original spring, that was the admiral's favourite saying. Never trust a story or a report, he would say; go and talk to the man who figured in it.'
'Well, I shall be seeing you this afternoon perhaps, Mrs. Porter; meanwhile I'm off for a walk, far beyond your ambling paces; so farewell.'
She blew the old lady a kiss in the most gracious style of that age, then swept away without another word.
The commander, standing in his window, caught sight of her, and rushed round out of doors slap into the arms of Mrs. Porter.
'Why, commander,' began the lady, 'this is an unexpected pleasure indeed.'
'Hi! Ada, where are you going?' shouted the old seaman, in his roughest voice.
Ada half turned her face and made an ironic flourish of farewell, but spoke no word.
'She's after that man,' said the commander, with a black look in the direction of the becloaked figure. 'She's fallen head over heels in love with him, and he must either be forced out of the place or——'
'What, Captain Conway—do say what?' cried Mrs. Porter.