urned up, and their lips were thick and
large. They were not beauties, certainly; but we danced with them all
the evening, changing every now and then for variety, though I had to
look hard to make out which was my original partner, as I only knew them
apart by the defect in their eyes. Dicky asked me if I didn't think
them as pretty as Alice Marlow, at which I very nearly knocked him down
in the ball-room. But he appeased me by assuring me with the greatest
gravity, that he admired the squinting one very much, and should
certainly, if he were older, make her Mrs Sharpe. He did nothing but
talk about her for two days afterwards; and, as we did not know her real
name, we called her Miss Smaitch, which, though not euphonious, did as
well as any other. On the third day he dined with an officer in the
dockyard who had a numerous family of daughters, to one of whom he
transferred his affections, and they remained steady for nearly a week,
about which time we left Malta. To return to the ball, however. When
Dicky and I were not dancing, we amused ourselves by watching what was
going forward, especially in observing the occupations of our superior
officers.

"I say, D'Arcy, who is that young lady Mr Vernon is dancing with, I
wonder? She is a stunner, isn't she, my boy?" said Dicky, sidling up to
me, and pointing with his chin towards a very beautiful girl, to whom
our second lieutenant had just then given his hand, and was leading up
to form a quadrille.

There was a roseate blush on her cheek, and a brightening glance in her
eye, as she looked up at the gallant officer, which betokened more than
ordinary satisfaction at being chosen his partner in the dance. The
colour increased, and the eyes brightened still more, while a smile
played round her ruby lips, as Mr Vernon uttered, in a low tone, a few
words in her ear.

Dicky observed it. "I twig something there," he whispered. "What will
you bet me, D'Arcy, that Mr Vernon doesn't splice that same young lady,
now? It's a regular case, depend on it. I thought there was something
going on, he's been so constantly on shore since we came into harbour.
He's a right good fellow, and I wish him joy."

"I hope, if it is a case, that he'll not marry till the ship is out of
commission," I remarked. "I should be sorry indeed to lose him. But we
must not talk so loud, or we shall be overheard."

Just then the captain came up, to make Dicky dance with Miss Smaitch. I
wa