"Did ye see him after the naygresses now ?" I gave Speedy an unblemished character.
"The one of ye will niver bethray the other," said the playful dame, and ushered me into a bare room, where Mamie sat working a type-writer.
I was touched by the cordiality of her greeting.

With the prettiest gesture in the world she gave me both her hands; wheeled forth a chair; and produced, from a cupboard, a tin of my favourite tobacco, and a book of my exclusive cigarette papers.
"There!" she cried; "you see, Mr.Loudon, we were all prepared for you; the things were bought the very day you sailed." I imagined she had always intended me a pleasant welcome; but the certain fervour of sincerity, which I could not help remarking, flowed from an unexpected source.

Captain Nares, with a kindness for which I can never be sufficiently grateful, had stolen a moment from his occupations, driven to call on Mamie, and drawn her a generous picture of my prowess at the wreck.

She was careful not to breathe a word of this interview, till she had led me on to tell my adventures for myself.
"Ah! Captain Nares was better," she cried, when I had done.

"From your account, I have only learned one new thing, that you are modest as well as brave." I cannot tell with what sort of disclamation I sought to reply.
"It is of no use," said Mamie.