Madam, I smuggle no more."
"For the pleasure I feel in hearing that resolution, Mr Pickersgill,"
said Cecilia, "take my hand and thanks."
"And mine," said Mrs Lascelles, half crying.
"And mine, too," said Lord B---, rising up.
Pickersgill passed the back of his hand across his eyes, turned round,
and left the cabin.
"I'm so happy!" said Mrs Lascelles, bursting into tears.
"He's a magnificent fellow," observed Lord B---. "Come, let us all go
on deck."
"You have not seen my aunt, papa."
"True; I'll go in to her, and then follow you."
The ladies went upon deck. Cecilia entered into conversation with Mr
Stewart, giving him a narrative of what had happened. Mrs Lascelles
sat abaft at the taffrail, with her pretty hand supporting her cheek,
looking very much _a la Juliette_.
"Mrs Lascelles," said Pickersgill, "before we part, allow me to
observe, that it is _you_ who have induced me to give up my
profession--"
"Why me, Mr Pickersgill?"
"You said that you did not like it."
Mrs Lascelles felt the force of the compliment.
"You said just now that you hated the name of Pickersgill: why do you
call yourself so?"
"It was my smuggling name, Mrs Lascelles."
"And now that you have left off smuggling, pray what may be the name we
are to call you by?"
"I cannot resume it till I have not only left this vessel, but shaken
hands with, and bid farewell to my companions; and by that time, Mrs
Lascelles, I shall be away from you."
"But I've a great curiosity to know it; and a lady's curiosity must be
gratified. You must call upon me some day, and tell it me. Here is my
address."
Pickersgill received the card with a low bow: and Lord B--- coming on
deck, Mrs Lascelles hastened to meet him.
The vessel was now passing the Bridge at the Needles, and the smuggler
piloted her on. As soon as they were clear and well inside, the whole
party went down into the cabin, Lord B--- requesting Pickersgill and
Corbett to join him in a parting glass. Mr Stewart, who had received
the account of what had passed from Cecilia, was very attentive to
Pickersgill and took an opportunity of saying that he was sorry that he
had said or done anything to annoy him. Every one recovered his
spirits: and all was good humour and mirth, because Miss Ossulton
adhered her resolution of not quitting the cabin till she could quit the
yacht. At ten o'clock the yacht was anchored. Pickersgill took his
leave of the honourable
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