Selkirk came to see Dampier; Dampier came to see Stradling; Stradling came to see Catherine Felton.
The latter thought the young man already knew the two others, that he had sailed with them, and was not surprised at their intimacy.
Sometimes Selkirk, leaving his companions in the midst of their bottles and glasses, would describe a tangent towards the counter, and come to converse with the pretty hostess.

He no longer felt love for her, and notwithstanding this, perhaps for this very reason, he now talked eloquently.
Kitty blushed, was embarrassed, and poor Captain Stradling, listening with all his ears to the narratives of his illustrious friend William Dampier, or pre-occupied with his pipe, lost in its cloud, saw nothing,--or seemed to see nothing.
Nevertheless one evening, he went, in his turn, to lean on the counter: 'Kate,' said he, 'when is our marriage to take place ?' 'Are you thinking of that still ?' replied she, with an air of levity which would once have became her better; 'I hoped this fancy had passed out of your head.' 'I may then set out on my voyage, Kate ?' 'Why not?
We will talk of our plans on your return.' 'But I am going to make the tour of the world, as well as my friend Dampier.

Kate, it is the affair of three years!' 'So much the better! it will give us both time for reflection.' 'It is well!' replied the phlegmatic Englishman, and nothing on his polar face betokened an afterthought.
The doors closed, the lights extinguished, Catherine retired to rest the happiest woman in the world.

She said to herself: 'Alexander loves me, and has loved me for eight years! he deserves to be rewarded.

He has less money than the other, it is a misfortune; but he has more youth and grace, that balances it.