But he had eaten too many years at captains' tables not to have proper table manners.

At first I thought he was abashed by Miss West's presence.

Later, I decided it was due to the presence of the captain.

For Captain West had a way with him that I was beginning to learn.

Far removed as Mr.Pike and Mr.Mellaire were from the sailors, individuals as they were of an entirely different and superior breed, yet equally as different and far removed from his officers was Captain West.
He was a serene and absolute aristocrat.