- description
- # CHAPTER XXIII. AN UNACCOUNTABLE CABIN-PASSENGER, AND A MYSTERIOUS YOUNG LADY
## Overview
This is chapter XXIII of the novel "Redburn: His First Voyage." It details the introduction of two peculiar passengers aboard the ship Highlander: a reclusive, enigmatic male passenger and a young, seemingly well-bred lady. The chapter explores the sailors' and narrator's speculations about the male passenger's identity and purpose, and describes the young lady's background as presented by the steward.
## Context
This chapter is part of Herman Melville's novel [Redburn: His First Voyage](arke:01KG8AJ9CVDS15WWAP46A9M4XP), which was extracted from the file [redburn.txt](arke:01KG89J1GP71YDJ60P8SRH97MF) and is included in the [Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW) collection. It follows [CHAPTER XXII. THE HIGHLANDER PASSES A WRECK](arke:01KG8AJQS2ASMWJESBB86DW1DM) and precedes [CHAPTER XXIV. HE BEGINS TO HOP ABOUT IN THE RIGGING LIKE A SAINT JAGO’S MONKEY](arke:01KG8AJQS2NQ7HM5PPY20XMP4F).
## Contents
Chapter XXIII introduces an "unaccountable cabin-passenger" who is described as a very small, quiet man, prone to deep thought and solitary contemplation. The sailors engage in much speculation about his identity, ranging from a secret envoy to a criminal on the run. The chapter also introduces a "mysterious young lady," presented by the steward as the daughter of a Liverpool dock-master, traveling for her health and education. The narrator notes the captain's attentive, almost paternal, behavior towards her, and contrasts her eventual elegant departure with her humble origins. The chapter also briefly touches upon the steerage passengers and the story of a young orphan boy who stowed away on the ship.
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- CHAPTER XXIII. AN UNACCOUNTABLE CABIN-PASSENGER, AND A MYSTERIOUS YOUNG LADY
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- CHAPTER XXIII. AN UNACCOUNTABLE CABIN-PASSENGER, AND A MYSTERIOUS YOUNG LADY