Mrs.Dutton fairly groaned, as she listened to her husband, for never before had he so completely thrown aside the thin mask of decency that he ordinarily wore; but Mildred, unable to control the burst of wild emotion that came over her, broke away from the place she occupied at her father's knee, and, as if blindly seeking protection in any asylum that she fancied safe, found herself sobbing, as if her heart would break, in Admiral Bluewater's arms.
Dutton followed the ungovernable, impulsive movement, with his eye, and for the first time he became aware in whose presence he had been exposing his native baseness.

Wine had not so far the mastery of him, as to blind him to all the consequences, though it did stimulate him to a point that enabled him to face the momentary mortification of his situation.
"I beg a thousand pardons, sir," he said, rising, and bowing low to his superior; "I was totally ignorant that I had the honour to be in the company of Admiral Bluewater--Admiral Blue, I find Jack calls you, sir; ha-ha-ha--a familiarity which is a true sign of love and respect.

I never knew a captain, or a flag-officer, that got a regular, expressive ship's name, that he wasn't the delight of the whole service.

Yes, sir; I find the people call Sir Gervaise, Little Jarvy, and yourself, Admiral Blue--ha-ha-ha--an infallible sign of merit in the superior, and of love in the men." "I ought to apologize, Mr.Dutton, for making one, so unexpectedly to myself, in a family council," returned the rear-admiral.

"As for the men, they are no great philosophers, though tolerable judges of when they are well commanded, and well treated .-- But, the hour is late, and it was my intention to sleep in my own ship, to-night.