“I will tell you in short what I think: We are all struggling in a sea of nonsense; and I am heartily ashamed of my part of it. I wish I were at my father’s house--that I do; and if things don’t change pretty soon I shall set my sails in that direction. Napoleon is not the only one who has been playing tricks on this boat. Captain Quitman ought not to permit such doings.” “How did you get possession of the information?” “I had had many conversations with the original Navarre; one subject in particular had been frequently discussed between us. A while ago I walked up and took Navarre’s arm and began to talk about the special subject. He was startled when I took his arm; and I could feel his body trembling. After I had gone on talking for about five minutes he gave a grunt like a wild hog and abruptly walked away, leaving me thunderstruck with astonishment; I then discovered that he was not the real Navarre.” “Now, Scottie, if I had been present when that scamp had the impudence to grunt at you, I think I should have broken his head with my cane.” “I am very glad, then, you were not present, because I am on Grant’s platform--Let us have peace.” “Peace is a very good thing in its proper place; but I feel very much inclined to get up a row here. I think I shall commit some sort of mischief if these things don’t change very soon. The fact is, we may look out for squalls--some sort of deviltry is brewing aboard of this boat certain.” “I am of that opinion, myself; but I think we had better have nothing to do with it.” “That woman in the black domino keeps me on the rack all the time; and I would not be at all surprised if it should turn out that she is at the bottom of all this mysterious game.” “Suppose we change the subject and let the black domino and her co-conspirators work out their own schemes.” “Very good. What shall we talk about?” “Oh, anything for a change.” “What book is that you hold in your hand?” “Paradise Lost.” “I would rather see Paradise found; but how do you like Milton?” “Too much imagination and not enough sentiment. Such extravagant ideas! Just think of his description of the war in Heaven. He says they plucked up great mountains by the roots and threw them at each other’s heads. Now I think that is a little too extravagant.” “If you like sentiment, you admire Tom Moore.” “Ah! you are right as to that. Give me Moore and Burns above all others. I often steal away when at home and weep over the sweet sentimental songs of those favorite poets.” “Shakespeare is my poet. Speaking of sentiment, it gushes up on every page, and streams from every line. Rosalind, Imogene, Juliet, Romeo, Orlando and Hamlet--all are made to utter the most soul-stirring, heart-melting sentiment. But enough about poetry; take my arm and let us go on deck and enjoy the scenery.” As soon as they reached the upper deck, George III. came up with a look of mystery on his countenance.