Page:The Naval Officer (1829), vol. 2.djvu/30

 efforts to weep; a tear from one eye coursed down her cheek, and was lost in her mouth; one from the other eye started at the same time, but for want of nourishment, halted on her cheek bone, where, collecting the smoke and gunpowder which surrounded us, it formed a little black peninsula and isthmus on her: face, and gave to her heroic grief a truly mourning tear. This proof of conjugal affection she would not part with until the following day, when having seen the last sad rites paid to the body of her faithful Achilles, she washed her face, and resumed her smiles, nor was she ungrateful to the ship's company for their sympathy.

We were ordered up to Spithead with dispatches, and long before we arrived, she had made the serjeant of marines the happiest of men, under a promise of marriage at Kingston church, before we sailed on our next cruise, which promise was most honourably performed.