So Captain Munday, who at heart was not afraid of his passenger,--but who persisted in saying that no good could be done, and who had, as may be remembered, already made a slight attempt,--was induced to take the matter in hand.

He came up to Caldigate on the deck one afternoon, and without any preface began his business.

'Mr.
Caldigate,' he said, 'I am afraid you are getting into a scrape with one of your fellow-passengers.' 'What do you call a scrape, Captain Munday ?' 'I should call it a scrape if a young gentleman of your position and your prospects were to find himself engaged on board ship to marry a woman he knew nothing about.' 'Do you know anything about my position and prospects, Captain Munday ?' 'I know you are a gentleman.' 'And I think you know less about the lady.' 'I know nothing;--but I will tell you what I hear.' 'I really would rather that you did not.

Of course, Captain Munday, on board your own ship you are a despot, and I must say that you have made everything very pleasant for us.

But I don't think even your position entitles you to talk to me about my private affairs,--or about hers.