"
"Oh, very well," said Mrs. Beresford; "then you are an abominable
egotist, that is all, and a coward: and thank Heaven Freddy and I were
defended by English and Americans, and--hem!--their friends, and not by
Hindoos." She added charmingly, "This shows me my first words on coming
here ought to have been to offer my warmest thanks to the brave men who
have defended me and my child;" and swept them so queenly a curtesy, that
the men's hats and caps flew off in an instant "Mr. Black," said she,
turning with a voice of honey to Vespasian, but aiming obliquely at
Fullalove's heart, _"would_ you oblige me by kicking that dog a _little:_
he is always smelling what does not belong to him--why, it is blood; oh!"
and she turned pale in a moment.
Sharpe thought some excuse necessary. "You see, ma'am, we haven't had
time to clean the decks since."
"It is the blood of men--of the poor fellows who have defended us so
nobly," faltered the lady, trembling visibly.
"Well, ma'am," said Sharpe, still half apologetically, "you know a ship
can't fight all day long without an accident or two.
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