neighbouring
estates, all very genial, jovial characters in their several ways.
Having first introduced me to Lady Tompion, and allowed me a minute or
two to pay my respects to her, Sir Timothy very kindly made me known to
the officers and other guests present. Dinner having been announced, we
all filed into the dining-room and took our places. The dinner was a
distinctly sumptuous affair, and included many very delicious dishes and
viands with which I then made my first acquaintance. But I need not
dwell upon this part of the entertainment. Let it suffice to say that I
enjoyed myself amazingly, the more so, perhaps, from the fact that
everybody, from Lady Tompion downward, seemed to be vying with each
other to put me at my ease and make me feel comfortable. Later,
however, I found that I was mistaken as to this. People were not making
any special effort in my behalf, but were simply exhibiting that
remarkable geniality and friendliness of feeling that appears to be
engendered by breathing the air of this lovely island.

At length the moment arrived for us to make our adieux and go; but when
I stepped up to Lady Tompion to say good-night she exclaimed:

"Oh, but you are not going back to your ship, or to Kingston either, for
that matter, to-night. Sir Timothy intends you to sleep here, and I
have already made all the necessary arrangements. The fact is," she
explained in a lower tone of voice, "that he wants to have a long chat
with you, so Mr Todd will have to excuse you for this once. I see that
he has already made up his mind to carry you off prisoner to his own
house, but he must defer that until next time." This with a most
charming smile to Mr Todd, who was standing close by waiting to say
good-night.

The guests having departed, Sir Timothy led the way into his study, and,
having invited me to make myself comfortable in a cane lounging chair,
while he settled himself in another, said:

"Since parting from you at Port Royal this afternoon I have found an
opportunity to read the private letter from the commodore which
accompanied his dispatch, and what he said therein respecting yourself
has greatly interested me; I have therefore arranged for you to sleep up
here to-night in order that I may have the opportunity for a quiet chat
with you. I may tell you, young gentleman, that the commodore's report
of your conduct upon certain occasions has very favourably impressed me,
so much so, indeed, that I a