noon
The officer was exceedingly polite , not alone because the reputation of the wealth of the young millionaire had gone out before him , but because this is the rule with well-bred English people . He was re-enforced by others , and the ladies had all the beaux they could manage ; and Miss Blanche could have had all of them if she had not chosen to cling to Louis Belgrave . They were all invited to dinner in the cabin of the Guardian-Mother , and Mr. Sage was informed of the fact before he returned to the ship . Before noon the Maud had been sold for four times the sum she had cost , to the Parsees , who wanted her very badly to ply between steamers and the shore in prosecuting their trade . Out of the price to be received was deducted that of the four guns and a liberal supply of ammunition of all descriptions . Captain Ringgold had sold the little steamer for four times what she had cost the owners , but still for less than her value , for she was an exceptionally strong and handsome craft . On the other hand , he had purchased the naval material for `` a mere song ; '' for it was not available for a man-of-war in modern times , and not of the kind used in the naval or military forces of England .