"To return to our dinner. After two mortal hours of hard eating, the pace began to slacken, and as evening closed in, a sense of peaceful repose seemed to descend upon our labors. Pastels shed an aromatic vapor through the room. The well-iced decanters went with measured pace along; conversation, subdued to the meridian of after-dinner comfort, just murmured; the open _jalousies_ displayed upon the broad veranda the orange-tree in full blossom, slightly stirring with the cool sea-breeze."
"And the piece of white muslin beside you, what of her?"
"Looked twenty times more bewitching than ever. Well, it was just the hour when, opening the last two buttons of your white waistcoat (remember we were in Jamaica), you stretch your legs to the full extent, throw your arm carelessly over the back of your chair, look contemplatively towards the ceiling, and wonder, within yourself, why it is not all 'after dinner' in this same world of ours. Such, at least, were my reflections as I assumed my attitude of supreme comfort, and inwardly ejaculated a health to Sneyd and Barton. Just at this moment I heard Polly's voice gently whisper,--
"'Zounds!' thought I, as a pang of jealousy shot through my heart, 'is it the major she means?' For old Belson, with his bag wig and rouged cheeks, was seated on the other side of her.
"'Worse and worse,' said I; 'it must be him.'
"'It is him!' said I, throwing off a bumper, and almost boiling over with passion at the moment.
"'I wish I could take one look at him,' said she, laying down her head as she spoke.
"The major whispered something in her ear, to which she replied,--
"'Oh, I dare not; papa will see me at once.'
"'Don't be afraid, Madam,' said I, fiercely; 'your father perfectly approves of your taste.'
"'Are you sure of it?' said she, giving me such a look.
"'I know it,' said I, struggling violently with my agitation.
"The major leaned over as if to touch her hand beneath the cloth. I almost sprang from my chair, when Polly, in her sweetest accents, said,--
"'You must be patient, dear thing, or you may be found out, and then there will be such a piece of work. Though I'm sure, Major, you would not betray me.' The major smiled till he cracked the paint upon his cheeks. 'And I am sure that Mr. Monsoon--'