In a ball or in general society, a man may see hundreds of women, admire many, yet fall in love with none.

Numbers increase the difficulty of choice, and he remains delighted, but not enslaved.

But on board of a ship, the continued presence of one whom he admires by comparison out of the few--one who, perhaps, if on shore, would in a short time be eclipsed by another, but who here shines without competition--gives her an advantage which, assisted by idleness and opportunity, magnifies her attractions, and sharpens the arrow of all conquering Love.

Captain Drawlock perhaps knew this from experience; he knew also that the friends of one party, if not of both, might be displeased by any contract formed when under his surveillance, and that his character and the character of his ship (for ships nowadays have characters, and very much depend upon them for their well doing) might suffer in consequence.

Strict as he might therefore appear, he was only doing his duty.
Grace being requested from Mr Ferguson, he indulged the company with one quite as long as usual; rather too long, considering that the ship was very unsteady, and the ladies had to cling to the table for support.