“My dear madam,” said the polite Captain, addressing Mrs. Grenville, “you really must allow me to recommend you to try an airing on the quarter deck this beautiful morning; after the long seclusion of your cabin you will, I am sure, find it both agreeable and refreshing.”  In a graceful manner, and with a pleasing smile, she replied,

“I shall be happy to adopt your suggestion Captain Hanstein, and if it is not interfering with your professional duties, may I request the favour of your arm for a promenade, as I feel scarcely equal to the effort unattended.”

The Captain bowed and assisted the lady to the quarterdeck.

The Indigo planter, who had sat opposite Mrs. Grenville at breakfast, felt somewhat annoyed that he had not solicited the pleasure of accompanying the lady in her walk on deck; he had been struck with her appearance at first sight, for the widow knowing the effect of first impressions, had been exceedingly careful with her toilette that morning, and certainly did look her best.

Sir Lexicon had never yet seen any one who came up to his idea of a handsome woman, until he encountered Mrs. Grenville that morning; her curling dark hair, superb neck and shoulders, stately figure and sparkling black eyes, and well modulated voice fascinated him, as no woman as yet ever had done.  She was not young, it is true; but this he regarded as fortunate.  She was still some years younger than Sir Lexicon; but as to who or what she was he was a stranger; but this he was determined to ascertain if possible, and betook himself on deck for the purpose.  As the professional duties of the Captain called him for a time away, he took his place beside the lady and endeavoured to interest her in his conversation.  He found her charmingly condescending, and apparently frank and friendly in her remarks, and after about an hour’s chit chat allowed him to conduct her to her state room.

Poor Captain Costigan had been killed by a falling spar and knocked overboard.  The remainder of the crew and passengers that had been rescued from their precarious situation on the wreck had been on board the “Great Mogul” about a couple of weeks, when she let go her anchor in Table Bay.  These, with the exception of Mrs. Grenville, went on shore in the first boat that came off to the ship.  She, that morning, had an interview with Captain Hanstein, and some hours after the others had left, the obliging Captain took her ashore in his own boat, in which also sat Sir Lexicon Chutny.  He put up at the same hotel as Mrs. Grenville, and was seen escorting her about Cape Town.