Percival Keene | Page 3

much virtue
extant in a sailor; and, after an hour's conversation, the married couple
were sent for, graciously pardoned, and Mrs Keene, after receiving a
very tedious lecture, received a very handsome present. But if her
mistress was appeased, Mrs Keene's mother was not. As soon as the
intelligence was received, old Mrs Mason set off for Madeline Hall.
She first had a closeted interview with her daughter, and then with
Captain Delmar, and as soon as the latter was over, she immediately
took her departure, without paying her respects to the mistress of the
Hall, or exchanging one word with any of the servants; this conduct
gave occasion to more innuendoes--some indeed ascribed her conduct
to mortification at her daughter's having made so imprudent a match,
but others exchanged very significant glances.
Three weeks after the marriage, the Parliament having been prorogued,

the admiral of the port considered that he was justified in ordering the
frigate out on a cruise. Ben Keene, of course accompanied his master,
and it was not until three months had passed away that the frigate
returned into port. As usual, the Honourable Captain Delmar, as soon
as he had paid his respects to the admiral, set off to visit his aunt,
accompanied by his benedict marine. On his arrival, he found that
everything appeared to be in great confusion; indeed an event was
occurring which had astonished the whole household; the butler made a
profound bow to the captain; the footmen forgot their usual smirk when
he alighted. Captain Delmar was ushered in solemn silence into the
drawing-room, and his aunt, who had notice of his arrival received him
with a stiff, prim air of unwonted frigidity, with her arms crossed
before her on her white muslin apron.
"My dear aunt," said Captain Delmar, as she coldly took his proffered
hand, "what is the matter?"
"The matter is this, nephew," replied the old lady--"that marriage of
your marine and Bella Mason should have taken place six months
sooner than it did. This is a wicked world, nephew; and sailors, I'm
afraid, are--"
"Marines, you should say, in this instance, my dear aunt," replied
Captain Delmar, insinuatingly. "I must confess that neither sailors nor
marines are quite so strict as they ought to be; however, Ben has
married her. Come, my dear aunt, allow me to plead for them, although
I am very much distressed that such an event should take place in your
house. I think," added he, after a pause, "I shall give Mr Keene seven
dozen at the gangway, for his presumption, as soon as I return on
board."
"That won't mend the matter, nephew," replied Miss Delmar. "I'll turn
her out of the house as soon as she can be moved."
"And I'll flog him as soon as I get him on board," rejoined the captain.
"I will not have your feelings shocked, and your mind harassed in this
way, by any impropriety on the part of my followers--most infamous--
shameful--abominable--unpardonable," interjected the captain, walking

the quarter-deck up and down the room.
The Honourable Miss Delmar continued to talk, and the honourable
captain to agree with her in all she said, for an hour at least. When
people are allowed to give vent to their indignation without the smallest
opposition they soon talk it away; such was the case with the
Honourable Miss Delmar. When it was first announced that Bella
Keene was safely in bed with a fine boy, the offended spinster turned
away from the communication with horror; when her own maid
ventured to remark that it was a lovely baby, she was ordered to hold
her tongue; she would not see the suffering mother, and the horrid
marine was commanded to stay in the kitchen, lest she should be
contaminated by meeting him on the stairs; but every day softened
down her indignation, and before a fortnight was over the Honourable
Miss Delmar had not only seen but admired the baby; and at last
decided upon paying a visit to the mother, who was now sufficiently
recovered to undergo a lecture of about two hours' length, in which the
honourable spinster commented upon her indecency, indiscretion,
inconsiderateness, incorrectness, indecorum, incontinence, and
indelicacy; pointing out that her conduct was most inexcusable,
iniquitous, and most infamous. The Honourable Miss Delmar having
had such a long innings then gave it up, because she was out of breath.
Bella, who waited patiently to make her response, and who was a very
clever girl, then declared, with many tears, that she was aware that her
conduct was inexcusable, her faults had been involuntary, and her
sorrow was inexpressible; her inexperience and her infatuation her only
apology; that her infelicity at her mistress's displeasure would
inevitably increase her sufferings; assured her that she was not
incorrigible,