That gallant commander was sitting on the bed-place, with a glass of rum and water in his hand, and the handsome waiting-maid of Mrs.Vickers was seated on a stool by his side.

At a first glance it was perceptible that the captain was very drunk.

His grey hair was matted all ways about his reddened face, and he was winking and blinking like an owl in the sunshine.
He had drunk a larger quantity of wine than usual at dinner, in sheer delight at the approaching assignation, and having got out the rum bottle for a quiet "settler" just as the victim of his fascinations glided through the carefully-adjusted door, he had been persuaded to go on drinking.
"Cuc-come, Sarah," he hiccuped.

"It's all very fine, my lass, but you needn't be so--hic--proud, you know.

I'm a plain sailor--plain s'lor, Srr'h.