He seems to think I am good for nothing but to look at," replied Florry smartly.
But the entrance of Mr.and Mrs.Passford turned aside the inquiries the captain was making before he had satisfied himself, though he had obtained enough to afford him some hope.

The greeting extended to the brother and nephew was all that could be expected or desired; and if the country had not been riven into two bitterly hostile sections, the interview could not have been more brotherly and affectionate.

A full hour was used in talking about the trip of the Bellevite, so anxious were the family, including Florry, to hear the particulars of the voyage.
"But how in the world did you get here, Horatio, when every public conveyance that leads into the South has been discontinued ?" asked Homer.
"I came as I came before," replied Horatio.
"You came in the Bellevite!" exclaimed Homer.
"I did." "But how did you get by the forts?
Both of them have been garrisoned, and they have been ordered to allow no vessel to pass unless she give a good account of herself," continued the planter.
"In other words, it is war now," added Horatio.
"Undoubtedly it is war; and, in my judgment, it will be a terrible conflict before it is finished." "I fully agree with you, Homer." "But you did not tell me in what manner you passed the two forts, which are already strong enough to blow your steamer into a thousand pieces," suggested Homer.
"I did not tell you, and I think we had better understand each other a little better before I say any thing at all about the passage of the forts; though I can assure you that not a single shot was fired at the Bellevite," said Horatio, somewhat embarrassed by the situation.
"De lunch am ready, saw," said a darky at the door at this moment; and perhaps the summons saved the owner of the Bellevite from some further annoyance.
An hour was spent at the table, for there was enough to talk about without meddling with delicate subjects.

When the repast was over, Florry invited her brother to look at the flower-garden, which was in the height of its glory, and she was followed by Gerty her cousin, and by Mrs.Passford.As in the Northern family, there were only two children; but Cornelius, or Corny as he was generally called, was not at home, though nothing at all was said about him.
Horatio was invited into the library by his brother, and they seated themselves for a long talk.

The owner of the Bellevite was confident that he should soon know on which side the planter belonged, though he was still confident in his former views.
"I suppose there is no other way for you to get here at the present time except in your yacht, and not many men can command so elegant and substantial a vessel as the Bellevite," said Homer, when they were seated.