CHAPTER LXVII.
THE ADMIRAL’S STORY OF THE BEAUTIFUL BELINDA.
Just at this moment Flora Bannerworth stole into the room from whence she had departed a short time since; but when she saw that old Admiral Bell was looking so exceedingly serious, and apparently about to address Henry upon some very important subject, she would have retired, but he turned towards her, and said,—
“My story, my dear, I’ve no objection to your hearing, and, like all women folks, a love story never comes amiss to you; so you may as well stay and hear it.”—”A love story,” said Flora; “you tell a love story, sir?”
“Yes, my dear, and not only tell it, but be the hero of it, likewise; ain’t you astonished?”—”I am, indeed.”
“Well, you’ll be more astonished then before I’ve done; so just listen. As Jack Pringle says
