uburn hair. But she
had a good deal more than her beauty to recommend her. She was
sweet-tempered, gentle, and high principled. Mrs Brigadier Bomanjoy
declared that she was puritanical and prudish; but she was in reality
truly religious and modest, without a particle of nonsense in her
composition. Captain Hawkesford, generally supposed to be indifferent
to female charms,--at least, to those of his own countrywomen,--paid her
more attention than he did to any one else, although she evidently
offered him no encouragement.

There was another person on board who must now be mentioned. Many
inquiries had been made of the captain who he was, but no satisfactory
answer had been given. His costume was that of a seaman, but no one
could suppose that he was a common sailor. His manner was
distinguished, his good looks remarkable, and the tone of his voice and
language refined. He was still very young, being scarcely more than
eighteen or nineteen years of age. He was on familiar terms with the
officers of the ship, and mingled with the passengers without any
objection being made by the captain. He spoke Hindostanee fluently, and
addressed the Lascars in their own tongue; while he showed an intimate
acquaintance with Indian manners and customs, as well as with those of
China and the East generally. The hot suns of Eastern seas had tanned
his cheeks and given him almost the appearance of an Oriental. The only
account the captain gave of him was that his name was Reginald Hamerton,
and that he had come home with him from India on his last voyage, and
had, during a heavy gale, exhibited much courage and nautical knowledge.
Many thought, from his dark skin, classical features, and flashing eye,
that there was Indian blood in his veins; and it was whispered that he
was the son of a resident at the court of some native prince, and that
his mother was the rajah's daughter: but of this the captain said he
knew nothing. He spoke English perfectly, was well educated, and had
the manners of a young man accustomed to the best society. He conversed
freely with every one, but it was observed that he was extremely
reticent about himself, never alluding to his past life or his future
prospects. Still he seemed perfectly at his ease about them; nor did he
speak like a person who had any doubts as to what he should do on his
arrival in India.

Altogether, there was a perfect mystery about him, which increased the
interest his pers