riter next made his appearance, followed by two boys, who
were going out as cadets; the first, with a new pair of grey kid gloves,
the others in their uniforms. The writer descanted long upon his own
miseries, without any inquiry or condolement for the sufferings of the
ladies. The cadets said nothing; but stared so much at Isabel Revel,
that she dropped her veil.

The ladies had been about a quarter of an hour on deck, when the sun,
which had not shown itself for two days, gleamed through the clouds.
Newton, who was officer of the watch, and had been accustomed when with
Mr Berecroft, to work a chronometer, interrupted the captain, who was
leaning on the carronade, talking to Mrs Ferguson.

"The sun is out, and the horizon pretty clear, sir; you may have sights
for the chronometers."

"Yes, indeed," said the captain, looking up; "be quick, and fetch my
sextant. You'll excuse me, ladies, but the chronometers must be
attended to."

"In preference to us, Captain Drawlock?--Fie for shame!" replied Mrs
Ferguson.

"Why, not exactly," replied the captain, "not exactly; but the fact is
that the sun may go in again."

"And we can stay out, I presume?" replied Isabel, laughing. "I think,
Mrs Ferguson, we ought to go in too."

"But, my dear young lady, if the sun goes in, I shall not get a
_sight_!"

"And if we go in, you will not get a sight either," replied Mrs
Ferguson.

"Between the two, sir," observed Newton, handing Captain Drawlock his
sextant, "you stand a chance of losing both. There's no time to spare;
I'm all ready."

Captain Drawlock walked to the break of the gangways, so far concealed
from the ladies that they could not perceive that he was looking through
his sextant, the use of which they did not comprehend, having never seen
one before. Newton stood at the capstern, with his eyes fixed on the
watch.

"Captain Drawlock," said Mrs Ferguson, calling to him, "allow me to
observe--"

"_Stop_," cried Captain Drawlock, in a loud voice. Newton, to whom this
was addressed, noted the time.

"Good heavens what can be the matter;" said Mrs Ferguson, with
astonishment, to those near her; "how excessively rude of Captain
Drawlock;--what can it be?" continued she, addressing the colonel, who
had rejoined them.

"Really, madam, I cannot tell; but it is my duty to inquire," replied
the colonel, who, going up to Captain Drawlock, commenced--"Have the
ladies already so fallen in your estimation--"

"Fo