Page:The Wanderer (1814 Volume 1).pdf/65

 "I hope, gentlewoman," he was beginning, "you won't be cast down, or angry, at a few vagaries&mdash;" when, looking in her face, he saw a countenance so gaily happy, that his condolence was changed into pleased astonishment. "Angry!" she repeated, "at a moment such as this!&mdash;a moment of so blessed an escape!&mdash;I should be the most graceless of wretches, if I had one sensation but of thankfulness and joy!"

"You are a very brave woman," said the Admiral, "and I am sorry," looking at her tattered clothing, "to see you in no better plight: though, perchance, if you had been born to more glitter without, you might have had less ore within. However, if you don't much like the vapouring of that ancient lady, which I have no very extraordinary liking to myself, neither, why stay in another room till we have done with the pilot; and then, if I can be of any use in helping you to your friends, I shall be glad to be at your service. For I take it for granted, though you are not in