“Don’t you think the young lady had better go below, out of the way of the damp, sir,” began Bowse, puzzled what excuse to make.
“Damp! surely there’s none to hurt me,” said Ada, looking up somewhat surprised. “It is so refreshing.”
“No, miss, the cold—the night air may do you harm,” rejoined Bowse.
“I have no fear of either,” answered Ada. “It’s quite warm, and I do not even require a cloak.”
The master was sadly perplexed, and the colonel would not come to his aid; at last he bethought him of a better reason, which must succeed.
“Yes, miss; but you see it’s coming on night, and it’s a rule that all ladies should go below at night,” he said, in a grave tone.
This made Ada fairly laugh outright.
“Oh! but I intend to break through the rule, I can assure you. The evening, when the moon is playing on the water, is the most delightful time of the twenty-four hours; and you will not persuade me to forego its pleasures.”
The colonel at length came to his rescue.
“What is it makes you so anxious for my niece to go below, Mr Bowse?” he asked. “If you have any particular reason, pray mention it, and I am sure she will be most ready to obey your wishes.”