The Captain was eating his breakfast one day in the mess-room, while Cackle, the assistant-surgeon, and the two above-named worthies were speculating upon Osborne's intrigue--Stubble holding out that the lady was a Duchess about Queen Charlotte's court, and Cackle vowing she was an opera-singer of the worst reputation. 
The Captain was eating his breakfast one day in the mess-room, while the two ensigns and the surgeon were speculating upon Osborne's intrigue - Stubble holding out that the lady was a Duchess, and Cackle vowing she was an opera-singer of the worst reputation.
