had become infatuated with the lively widow; for in fact Captain
Hanstein, the honest-hearted seaman had been caught in her toils. He had
believed every word that had been confidentially told him by Mrs.
Grenville, her position in life, and her reason for visiting the Cape
and Madras. Of course there was scarcely a grain of truth in the whole
statement. She was not long in discovering the Captain's weak point, and
rather encouraged him than otherwise, but had no notion of engaging
herself to the fat honest Dutch skipper. Far from it, but she thought it
necessary to her project to mislead him on that point. This unscrupulous
and ambitious woman cared not how she wounded the feelings of others, if
she thought by so doing it would further her own interest. She was
determined to secure Sir Lexicon as a husband, and thus become Lady
Chutny; and so skillfully did she angle, and played her cards with such
great tact, that there was very little doubt of her succeeding.

The Dutch are naturally slow of action, and the planter's wooing was of
a rather passive character, and his attention to the lady did not excite
the suspicion of her other admirer, who did not think it would be
necessary to pop the momentous question until she was about to leave the
ship on reaching Madras. That Sir Lexicon was somewhat piqued at the
marked attention paid to her by that good-natured sailor was quite
evident, and was exactly what the widow had anticipated and desired. She
played both lovers off, one against the other, and the result proved
that her theory and practice were correct; for Sir Lexicon took
advantage of an opportunity that was afforded him one afternoon while
playing chess with Mrs. Grenville in the after cabin. They were quite
alone, and during a pause in the game, he formally made her an offer of
marriage, which, after a little skillful beating about the bush, she
accepted, but on the condition that nothing should be said about the
subject to any one on board. This was agreed to, and the game continued.