CHAPTER 115 The Return of the Resurrected Man and the Robbery at Andebury House. The morning after the occurrence that took place in the Bonehouse of Andebury broke dimly and obscurely over the ocean in the neighborhood of that town. For leagues away, as far as the eye could reach, there was a haziness in the atmosphere which the fresh wind that blew did not dissipate. There was a white light rising on the horizon which did not cast a warm glow over the bosom of the ocean as it sometimes does. It was dull, cold, and cheerless. There was nothing that could be called beautiful. The waves dashed about and came tumbling over each other, their crests now and then covered with foam which was swept off by the fresh breeze that blew over the ocean. It was just daylight. There was not in the landscape save the water in the sky, nothing else to be seen for miles. Yes, there was one object, and that was a boat washed to and fro by the waves as it sat on the bosom of the sea, wafted hither and tither as the waves in pelty boat which appeared to be empty, for no war was used and no human form was visible. But that boat, so lonely and left to its own guidance, or rather that of the waves, contained a living being. It was he who had striven so hard to escape from the barren on the preceding evening. He sat alone in the bottom of the boat. He was fatigued. He was shivering from the cold. The great exertion which he had undergone were followed by a reaction, but he knew not where he was, or in which direction to pull, or where the shore lay. How long he lay in this helpless condition it is not known. But he occasionally lifted his eyes upward and across the sea to watch which way the vessels sail, and if any should come in sight. The scene was one of singular desolation and dreariness in which nothing could be seen that could cheer the eye or gladden the mind of a man. Now and then to be sure a gleam of sunlight would cross the dreary water. But it seemed to enliven only a small spot, and that but for a very short time, for it soon again became obscure. There was the dreary ocean, with its lead and color sky, and the boat at the mercy and direction of the wind and waves, both of which seemed no-placid humor, though not absolutely squally. A vessel from cheer-bork with brandies for the port of London was sailing direct for the mouth of the tin, making for the foreland where it would have to round the point, and then enter the mouth of the river. There were three or four men and a couple of boys on board, when they came near the boat. Boat ahoy! shouted the man on the lookout. Boat ahoy! No answer was returned to the shout, and the men on board shouted too, and crowded to the side of the vessel to see what was going on, and who was in the boat. The captain came up. He had been in the cabin, but hearing the shout, he came on deck to see what was the matter. What is the matter? inquired the captain, looking around. Boat on the starboard, said one of the men, nobody in it, I think. She seems to be drifting. The captain looked at the boat for some minutes attentively, when one of the men said, Perhaps some wreck, and the boat has been swept away by the waves, or the crew hadn't time to get into her, or something of the sort. No, said the captain. She's not a ship's boat, a shoreboat, that's what it is, lad. She got washed out, or somebody's drowned, upset, or rolled out. Something of the sort I dare say, sir. Well, we didn't need heave too for her. She's no service to us, and we can't spare the time. I think there's someone in her. But the boat's drifting, said the captain. But she's coming this way, and that will be the easiest way to ascertain the truth of our conjectures. They steered the vessel as to meet the boat, which the sea was beating towards them, and in about twenty minutes, or half an hour, they came within a couple score yards of the boat, when they could plainly perceive that someone was sitting in the bottom of the boat. Aloha! shouted the captain. Boat ahoy, ahoy! The man, who was in the boat looked up, and seeing the vessel, he answered the cheer. Throw him a rope, said the captain, to one of the men, who were standing by. A rope was made fast to the vessel, and then it was thrown by a strong arm to the boat, and came right a-thwart it, and was immediately made fast by the man who was in it. He then began immediately to hull up the rope, and so draw his boat up alongside of the vessel, and then he came on deck. How now, shipmate, what do you do out at sea in such a cockle-shell as that? Nothing, replied the other. Nothing? Well, you have come a long way to do that. It induced you to come to sea, or were you driven out, or how was it that you came here? I was driven out against my will, replied the man. I was rowing about shore when I fell asleep, thinking myself safe, having secured the boat, as I believed, safely enough. I, I, said the captain. And so you found out when you eroke your mistake. I did, my mourns had broken away, which was only a boat-hook and a rope. The tide coming up lifted the boat-hook out, and I have been out to sea ever since, and I don't know where I am. Why, that must have been last night, said the captain. Last night it was, said the stranger. You have been to sea all night, then, added the captain, taking a long gaze at the stranger. Indeed, I have, and I am quite cold and hungry. I had nothing with me. I rode sometimes in hopes of getting to shore again. Well, that is about the fact. You must be about fifteen miles out at sea, said the captain. You are a long pull away from shore, I can tell you, and how you will get back again. I don't know. But at all events, you are a very queer-looking fish, and I suppose you're being out at sea all night, and no stores makes you look as you do. Though upon my soul I don't know what to make of you. But you mustn't starve. Here, lad, bring up some coffee and broiled pork. Can you eat any? Thank you, said the unfortunate being. I can. I have been out for many hours. Well, sit down, or rather go below and eat. When you have done, come up, and we will tell you where the land lies, though I don't know how you will keep it in sight for the life of me. The man went below, where there was some coffee royal made for him. That is, coffee and brandy. And some salt-pork was given to him, of which he partook most plentifully, apparently, while the captain muttered to himself. Well, of all the odd complexion shore-going sharks as ever I saw, you are the oddest. If I should think he was a wholesome, there's a great deal of the churchyard about him. There isn't a very agreeable look about him, said one of the men. But I suppose he has been so much frightened that he looks more like a vampire than anything else. I, or a revived corpse. Yes, sir. But that arises from his being so terrified and starved as well as fatigued. Exposure all night, all added together, has almost changed the current of his blood.  And now, said the captain, if you like to go with us to Lunding you shall go with us, for as I said before, we cannot run into any port before we get there, for the wind is favorable and strong. I would sooner get back by means of my boat, replied the man, if I were sure of making land. You might, if you could keep in a straight course, but there is the difficulty. You cannot do so very well without a compass. And that you have not got. No indeed, I have not. Though with it I have no doubt of being able to reach the land. I have, said the captain, a small one below, a pocket compass. You shall have that, and see what can be done, and if you get ashore it will have done some service at all events. I shall be greatly obliged for your kindness, said the stranger, but I am wholly at a loss to know how I shall ever be able to repay your kindness. Say nothing about that. We who get our bread upon the sea know well the risks we all run, and therefore do not mind lending a hand to each other when in distress and trouble. I will endeavor to save someone else in your line of life, if I cannot you, replied the stranger. And if so, if it be possible, make some return. I, that will do mate, do a Christian's charity to anyone whom you may come across, and I shall be well paid for my trouble. The boat was now brought up alongside the vessel, and before the stranger embarked, the captain said to him, as he held the compass in his hand, you must place this compass on one of the thwarts of your boat, shipmate. I will. A precious vessel she is for a voyage out of sight of land.  But that's neither here nor there. Mind you, keep your boat's head to the northwest, and by doing so you'll make land at the nearest point from where we now are. Thank you, said the man. Moreover, you must pull as to keep her head in the direction I tell you. It will be too long a pull for you to get there by rowing.  I am obliged to you, said the man. If I get to shore safe, I shall be under great obligations to you.  I have ordered enough biscuit and grog and cold beef to last you till night. You will get to shore before that time. I have every reason to believe. In five or six hours you ought to get there. But in case of accidents there is enough to last till night. You have loaded me with obligations. Say no more, be off with you, and pull away from the vessel as quickly as you can, for we have slackened our speed for you. Farewell, a pleasant voyage to you, said the man. Goodbye, and good luck go with you, replied the captain. Keep to the northwest, and all will be well. Push off, and keep your eye on the compass. The man did, as he was desired, laid the compass on one of the thwarts, took the oars in his hands, and began to row away with goodwill. The crew of the vessel crowded to the side and witnessed the departure of the boat. And when she was a few hundred yards off, the sails were spread, and the vessel plowed through the waves, leaving the boat behind, a mere speck on the sea, diminishing each moment. But yet, while the boat was within hailing distance, the captain said to the crew, Give him a cheer. He may meet with a score of accidents before he reaches shore, any one of which will be sufficient to destroy him. The crew obeyed, and gave a loud shout to the boats, and the captain added his own voice. The cheering hazzah reached the boat, for the occupant elevated his oar, and returned it. The solitary cheer was borne. However, they gave him one cheer more, and then pursued their way over the trackless water. The boat perused its course for some distance until it was too far from the vessel to be seen, and then, slackening his pace, he contented himself with merely keeping the boat's head in the direction which he had been told, and in which he knew the land lay. There was no hurry and desire to reach the land, but merely to keep where he was. And when any vessel hoove in sight, he pulled so as to keep clear of her and out of hail. And there were a great many who passed near him, and would have aided him had he required any. But that did not seem to be his object. Midday was past, and the sun began to decline towards the west when the boat was gradually brought nearer and nearer in shore. Not only was the shore visible, but the very houses might be counted, and yet he would not come ashore. It was about sunset that the provisions, which were given by the captain of the vessel, were now consumed, and that while they were being eaten, the occupant of the boat set still with his eyes fixed upon the town, which was ever moment becoming hidden by the approaching denseness of the night, and at length could not be distinguished, saved by the existence of numerous lights that shooed the precious position in which it lay. Darkness now came on, and nothing was to be seen on the ocean whatever, and he remained yet longer at sea. But at length there was no danger of being noticed. He gradually rode his boat in shore, and secured it. Then jumping ashore, he wandered about the town from one place to another, and finally he determined to make his way to Anderbury House. There is at least plenty of everything there, he muttered, and, though there are plenty of servants, yet in so large a place there is ample room to secret oneself, and plenty to be had for the trouble of taking it. He came to a small public house, which he entered, with the view of resting a short time, and of ascertaining what was going on in the town. There were several people seated in the public room, and he now seated himself up in one corner of the room, unobserved by anybody. Well, well, said one. There is more than one strange thing of late that has happened. The Baron has given some very handsome entertainments. I, so he has, said one. And more than that, they say he's going to keep him till he gets a wife, though I cannot tell why he should leave them off then, because women like that sort of thing too well to make any objections to its being carried on after marriage. The Baron is very right, if he carried it on then, he would be watched by his wife, who would take good care to rate him for any attention he may pay to any of the ladies, and therefore it would only be keeping up the means for being scolded to keep up the balls. I, it would only be getting into hot water, and keeping the kettle boiling on purpose. He would, said another man, merely be keeping the entertainments on for the purpose of showing off his wife and herself will, as well as her power over him, and showing them all how she could rule a man. A very favorite pastime with married women, who when they have a partner who don't like fighting in quarrel and who does love peace and quietness, know how to give it to him. I think better of the Baron, who I think is a man who wouldn't stand much of that. I, you don't know what a Eupastria woman can be when she pleases. Well, said another, the strangest thing that I know of, is the loss of Bill Wright's boat. Oh! what was that? I have heard something about it, though I can't say I have heard the rights of it yet. What was it all about, eh? Why, he says when he went to bed he left his boat safe enough more to another boat and afloat. Bill says he'll swear she couldn't get clear without help, but she did get clear, and there's nothing to be seen of it now, at all events. And poor Bill's in a devil of a way about it, too, I can tell you, and good reason enough. Yes, Bill will scarce be able to get another boat unless some good friend should give him one, and that is scarcely likely, I think, as times go. There's no ball at Anderbury House tonight, I believe, said one of the visitors. No one that I know of. No, there is none, said another, because I know of several who have got leave of absence, so they are shorthanded there, and they would not be so if they had anything particular going on. For the Baron does things handsomely. So he does. The stranger listened to all this conversation very quietly for some time muttering to himself. And that is well. It will suit my purpose very well. I will go and see how the land lies in that quarter. I have objects in view, and some of the valuables to be found there at all events will aid my projects and assist in my comfort, and I may as well have them from there as anywhere else. Besides, I know more of that place. It suits my taste to do so, and will be somewhat in the shape of revenge. Calling for his reckoning which he paid, he left the house and proceeded towards Anderbury House. It was now nine o'clock or a little later. No one was about, or scarcely any, and those few the moving figure endeavored to avoid. He turned out of the usual past, and walked over the fields in unfrequented ways, keeping near the hedge rows until he came to the bounds of the grounds of Anderbury House. Here he paused, and bethought himself the best means of entering the house unseen and unsuspected by anyone else his object would be defeated. However, after a few moments thought, he determined to proceed, and for that purpose he made for a spot where the fence was low and ran by some trees that had been cut down and grew bushy. Having reached there he, by aid of the branches, contrived to get over into the grounds, and then made his way swiftly towards a plantation that ran up close to the house, and by means of which he hoped to reach the house, and perhaps to enter it. Silently he made his way into the plantation, and just as he reached it he saw the moon rise in the east. It was just rising above the horizon. Thanks, he muttered, looking towards the luminary. Thanks, you did not appear before. But now you are welcome, for I can keep under the cover of trees. And the deeper the shadow the safer I am from observation. This was right enough. The moon rose full, but not bright, for some clouds seemed to intervene, or rather some thin vapours, which gave her a strange colour, and at the same time increased her apparent size. But she rose rapidly, and as she rose that would wear off, and she would resume her silvery appearance and usual diameter. He was now safe in the plantation, but at the same time it would require some caution not to be discovered, for at times even the plantation formed a beautiful evening walks, in which many of the inhabitants of Anderbury House had indulged at various times, and especially when there was what was termed a family party. On a moonlit night when there were several members of the family who knew the grounds will, then they would find ample amusement in wandering about. However, there was no such parties on this evening, and as it followed he ran no danger. Lightly therefore he crept forward, making no sounds save as such it was impossible to avoid. The footfalls upon dried leaves, the crackling of sticks, and the wrestling of the smaller undergrowth when he came in contact with it. How shall I be able to pass the open spaces I know not, he muttered, but I have passed worse spots than this, and I may be pretty confident I shall succeed in escaping detection on this occasion. However, it shall be tried. There are few who are about. All is quiet and still. The very watch-dogs are quiet in the sleep. He crept onward now until he came within some hundred and fifty yards of the house itself, when he paused and listened. But hearing nothing, he again came forward, and approached within a few score yards of the house when he was suddenly arrested by the sound of voices. He paused and listened. It was a female voice spoke near. She was evidently speaking to a man. Now, William, she said, Do you believe you can get into the house without making any noise? I am sure of it, providing you leave the window open and the rope there. Yes, yes, I will. Well, that room is empty.  Don't let it bang together or it may alarm someone. Yes, yes, I'll take care. Well, then, remain in the passage or room until I come to you. But should you be disturbed, you can hide yourself in any of the closets, or go upstairs, which will bring you to the floor on which my room is. I will take care, but don't forget the rope and leave the window open. I'll not forget. I'll throw the rope on one side so as to hang among the vine leaps, so it will not be detected by anyone accidentally coming this way, though that is very unlikely indeed. I understand. For the matter of that, I think the vine is strong enough to bear me without the rope. I would not have you make the attempt least you fail and aren't killed, William. Be sure you do not make the trial. What a thing it would be if you were discovered and all were to come out. I should be ruined. Never fear that. I will take care, both for your sake as well as my own. Then goodbye. Some words were then uttered in a whisper, the import of which he did not hear, but it continued for a minute or two. And then the female said, Wait here a few minutes, and you will see me come to yon window and let down the rope, and then be gone as quickly as you can. Never fear for me. I will wait here until I see you at the window, and then I will leave. The female figure he saw glide quickly away, and he watched until she was out of sight, and then he watched for the signal also. He could see the form of the male figure, who stood with it about three or four yards from the spot where he was concealed. Then after a time he saw the female figure come to the window indicated by her, and then throw the rope out of it, and cause it to hang down by the side, or among the leaves of the vine, so that could not be seen, except if it were looked for. When this was done, and the figure saw the female had withdrawn, he turned from the spot and walked hastily away further in the plantation. And when he was quite out of hearing, and the stranger could no longer hear his footsteps among the dried rubbish in the wood, he walked cautiously forward to the edge of the grounds, and then gazed up at the house and listened carefully to ascertain if there was any sound at all indicative of the vicinity of a human being. Hearing none, he assumed another attitude and prepared to make a dart forward for the window as he muttered, the coast is clear and it will be hard indeed if I do not now succeed. Once in the house I will soon secure myself and the contacts of some of the barren drawers, and some of his gold will be mine. Again, taking a cautious survey, and being perfectly satisfied that he was unobserved, he dashed across towards the root of the vine, and in a moment more he had seized the end of the rope. But he heard the sound of footsteps. What to do he could not tell, but he sprung up a few feet and buried himself among the leaves of the vine, which were very luxuriant. The footsteps were heard closer and closer, until he could perceive the very female who had thrown the rope out of the window stop within a few inches of him, and then seize hold of the rope he had been about to seize. Her object was to ascertain if the rope was low enough to be reached, and when she had adjusted it to her mind she exclaimed in a low voice to herself, ah, that'll do. He will find it easily, I daresay, and it will be all right. Nobody will see it. Having satisfied herself of that, she left the spot and returned the very same way she came. It was an awkward situation as anyone could well indulge without discovery. It was a very narrow escape, he muttered. I had no idea of her coming back in that way. I never dreamed of such a thing, but no matter, I believe I am quite safe now. If not, I shall have some other escape. She must have been next to blind not to see me. However, he got down, and then pulled down the rope straight, and, by the help of that vine, he then pulled himself up to the window into which he speedily got and found himself in an empty room. Here he paused to ascertain if he could hear anyone moving about, but he heard nothing, and at once proceeded to feel his way cautiously along to the door which he approached with cat-like step. Opening the door he paused to listen, before he ventured into the landing to which it opened, but finding the coast clear he went through that, and then into the next room, which was apparently a storeroom being filled with a variety of things of miscellaneous character, and which were only of occasional use in the house. This he closed and went upstairs, where he came to a suite of servant's bedrooms, and thence he walked about from room to room, until he came to a portion of the house he recognized, and then he made direct for the Baron's own room. There he muttered, I am likely to meet what I want, and the carpets are soft and give no noise, I can sleep for a short time if I will. He made it once for the Baron's sleeping room, which he opened and entered. It was empty, and he at once closed the door, and then made an instant search about for a place of concealment, and having found one he began to make a search for some other matters that were not of the same, but a more valuable character in the market. However, he found out the drawers and depositories, but he was unable to open them because they were locked, and he must wait until the Baron had gone to sleep, and then, taking his keys, he would be able to help himself without any difficulty to what he most desired. He had scarcely made this determination before he was alarmed by the footsteps of the Baron, as he ascended the stairs. This produced a necessity for instant concealment, and he was immediately flew to the spot which he had chosen, and scarcely had done so before the room door was opened, and in walked the Baron himself, who brought in a light with him. He remained walking about some time, examining a variety of matters, but appeared as though he never intended to go to sleep. There was every probability of his discovering the place of concealment, which was easily done, had he but turned his head or moved his hand under certain circumstances, but as fortune willed it, the Baron did not. It was near an hour before the Baron sought the repose he might have taken, but for the dominion of the spirit of restlessness, and it was even then some time before he fell into a sound slumber, apparently being engaged in deep thought. However, he did fall asleep, and the tongue of Morpheus spoke loudly, like some human beings through the nose, and then it was the hero of Andebury Churchyard stole from his concealment, and began to examine the chamber. Where are his keys, I wonder, he thought? He must carry them about him, but he must have left them somewhere in his clothes. And if I can obtain and use them without making any noise, it will be fortunate. He found the keys, though not without making a slight jingle with them, but that caused no motion on the part of the Baron who lay snoring in his bed. He stole to the drawers, and the key fitted. He quickly unlocked it and drew it open. Fortune befriends me, he muttered. At that moment the Baron turned in his bed and heaved a deep sigh, and appeared for a minute or two restless, as if on the point of waking up. The intruder, however, stopped shortening his depredations and paused, and then crouched down. Lisa's sleeper might open his eyes, and by momentary glance detect him. Suddenly he spoke, but indistinctly, very indistinctly, and yet loudly enough. The stranger stared. He thought himself detected, but he found that the Baron was only dreaming. He drew nearer to him, and listened to what he said. Ha! sighed the Baron. She is very beautiful. Very beautiful. Ha! Her form and face are perfection. He paused, and again went on, but too indistinctly. A word or two was heard plain and left now and then, but it was impossible to form any sense of them. They had no connection with one another. She is very beautiful, again muttered the Baron in his sleep. She is lovely, amenable. What a wife! Then he fell into a train of half-mumblings, from which nothing could be gathered. Heaven's what a prize, exclaimed the Baron, and again he relapsed, but appeared more composed and quiet. I would he were nine fathoms deep below the level of the sea, muttered the robber, and then I should not be bothered by him. Sleeper let it alone, he exclaimed between his teeth. It would be almost safest to kill, and yet one cry might bring the whole household upon me. Turning to the door, he ascertained that it was locked. He turned the key, and in doing so made a noise with the lock, which had the effect of causing the Baron to start in his sleep. What was that, he muttered in sleepy accents. I thought I heard the door go, but it can't. I locked it. I remember very well I locked it. After the speech he fell fast asleep. Another escape muttered the intruder, who rose from his crouching posture, and setting the door open, so that he could, in case of an accident, make his escape from the room. Then he again turned toward the drawers, and began to help himself to the contents, when he accidentally struck the keys, which fell with a clash to the floor. In an instant the Baron started up on his elbow, and pulled aside the curtain to see what was the cause of the disturbance. In a moment the light was put out, and the intruder had assumed emotionless posture, but it was too late to escape the quick eye of the Baron, who instantly jumped up, exclaiming as he laid his hand upon a pistol, which he had under his pillow, and cocked it. Ah, robber, assassin, stand or I fire! The sound of the cocking pistol was quiet enough, it came distinctly to the ear, and suggested the idea of more than ordinary danger with it. And he dashed past, heedless of the command of the Baron, who called upon him to stand. The Baron fired, and in an instant the house was filled with a stunning report, which echoed and re-echoed from room to room, filling the inmates with wonder and alarm. The sensation produced by the sound was of that description that can hardly be described, to be awakened from a sound sleep by such a dreadful, stunning report which carried such a sentient danger with it that they remained in an alarming stupor for nearly the space of a minute until indeed they were aroused by the shouts of the Baron was rather terrifying. Hardly had the stunning and deafening report died away when the Baron leapt from his bed to ascertain if the shot had taken effect. The intruder he did not the commands or the shot of the Baron, for he dashed out of the room at his utmost speed, making his way towards the lower portion of the house that offering great facilities for escape.  Robbers, thieves, he shouted. Here, help! Help secure the robbers who are in the house. The intruder made for the lower stairs, but was closely followed by the Baron, who could just see the dusky form of the object of his pursuit before him. But now in the lower rooms where there was no light at all, the shutters being up, he missed him. The robber had taken advantage of the darkness and doubled upon his pursuer, and hastened upstairs with the view of reaching the place where he entered. In doing this, however, he was met by one of the men who was coming down. There was no time for deliberation, and he dashed up, regardless of the blow the man aimed at him, who said, Here you are. Here goes one for him. As, however, the battle is said not always to be with the strong, so in this instance was he unable to accomplish his object, for the blow by the agility of the robber was evaded, and the result was that the serving man was suddenly whirled down the stairs, and being once on the descent he did not stop until he got to the bottom. Murderer shouted the unhappy individual as he rolled down the stair after stair until his cries were stilled by a violent concussion of the head. In the meantime the stranger rushed upstairs at a headlong speed, until he attained the landing which led to the room at the window of which he entered, securing the door behind him, and then getting out of the window and seizing the rope he began to descend very rapidly, fearing he would be intercepted by those below. He slipped down the rope rather than let himself down, and before he had got halfway down he met with an impediment, which, however, quickly gave way, and they both came plumped down to the earth together. My God! My God! exclaimed a man's voice in great terror and tribulation. What's that? What's that? Mercy! Mercy! I didn't mean to do any wrong. The stranger he did not the words of the terrified swan, who it would appear, had begun to ascend to reach the dormitory of his fair but frail one, when his flame was so unceremoniously quenched in the way we have related, but dashed away from the spot, and was speedily lost in the plantation, wither the unfortunate individual when he had sufficiently recovered his sentences and released his head from the imprisonment of his hat, soon after he took himself, thankful the affair was no worse. Jack Pringle falls in love and has rather an unhappy adventure with a bold dragon. Jack Pringle, like other men, was subject to the vicissitude of the passions, which placed him under a certain string of circumstances that produced results quite at variance with those which are usually anticipated when an individual enters upon the pursuits of the tender passion. Indeed, Jack could see nothing at all unhappy, or in the least degree unfortunate, in the black eyes and rosy lips of Susan, who was most certainly the maid of the inn, though not in precisely the same rank as the one alluded to by the song. He had taken up his residence at the inn had Jack. Indeed, he was partial to ins in general. There was usually a greater latitude permitted there than elsewhere, not only each one being allowed to accommodate himself as he pleased, but he could always have what backie and grog he chose to order as long as there was a shot in the locker. This being the State of Affairs, Jack found another inducement to stay where he was, and that was the existence of the before-mentioned Susan, who appeared to be as kind as she was good-natured. She never refused to answer Jack's call, and when she came, she always said, What did you please to want, Mr. Pringle? Mr. Pringle thought Jack. Well, that sounds pretty from such a pair of lips. Jack scratched his head, and turning his quid in his mouth was often lost in admiration and forgot all his wants at that moment, and it was not until the question was more than once repeated that Jack was aware that he really did not want anything, especially as his grog was not all gone. Well, exclaimed Jack, looking at the glass, I forgot. But never mind, Susan, I'll have another can-waltz this is going. So I shan't hurt you. I wouldn't hurt you, Susan. No, that I wouldn't. The course of true love never did run smooth. That is, we know, a rule that is as old as the hills, but then it is of constant recurrence, and one that may be fairly presumed always will, to the end of the world, and possibly after. However that may be, Jack was not without a rival, and one of a very formidable character.  He never did think anything of a landsman, especially a soldier, for it was to that class this rival belonged. Susan said Jack, as he sat in the kitchen, watching the various evolutions to which the hands of Susan were applied, in the preformance of her multi-diniest duties. Well, Mr. Pringle said Susan, ah, said Jack, and there was a pause, during which Jack forgot to even chew his quid, and was quite abstracted in a manner and thought. He had intended to say something, but it had quite escaped him, and it was difficult for Jack to hold his thoughts, as it is for country-mental hold a pig by the tail, when this latter member was well greased, and when it was of the description usually denominated a bobtail, a common occurrence. What did you say, Mr. Pringle said Susan, bustling about? I'm sure you were about to say something. Well, I suppose I was, said Jack, but I don't know what it was now. Perhaps you do. How should I know that? I can't tell what you're thinking about. What made you think that?   Are you, though? Yes, I am, said Jack. You're a light craft, a rare pretty figure hedge you'd make. Lord, Mr. Pringle said Susan, well, you would, though, and I'll take three dozen, and never wink, if there's one to be found half as handsome in the whole British Navy or in any other. To think, said Susan, that I should be called a figurehead. Well, I declare, I never heard the light. Why, what will you say next? I never thought that of you. Why, said Jack, who was very much bewildered and didn't know precisely what to say, the turn the compliment had taken was one he couldn't understand. Why, you see, Susan, the figurehead is the beautifulest part of the ship, except maybe her rigging, her portholes, her sides, and her trim. But then, you see, them things ain't no matter of likeness to anything human, especially you, Susan. Ain't they, Mr. Pringle? Well, you know best, but I dare say it's all right, for you must know best. But my cousin says I am more like the Venus de Medici than anything else. Jack stared. Who, he inquired, with his eyes opening very wide, the Venus de Medici, said Susan, speaking in a very slow, emphatic manner, for Jack's behoof. Don't know her, said Jack. I'll go bail there ain't such ship in the navy. There never was such a thing heard of unless some of them French-craft. But your cousin ought to be well-caught for saying you were like anything French. Why, you are true blue and no French about you. Is there, Susan? I don't know. But I never heard there was, and I don't know if there is. But that's what he said, and he's been a long way. Who is he, said Jack, laying emphasis upon the last word, to indicate that the sound was displeasing. Oh, my cousin. Well, but who is your cousin, inquired Jack? Have you seen him very lately? Yes, I saw him this morning. His regimen is quartered only a few miles from this place. Oh, said Jack. He's a soldier, then? Yes, he is. A horse soldier, added Susan. A horse marine. Ah, I know him for today. They are a rare lot to lie and gallop away. But, Lord bless you, they never lay alongside an enemy till you've beaten him. No, no, they can't do that. He'll be here tonight, said Susan. You shall see him, Mr. Pringle. He's coming all this way to see me. To see you, said Jack Pringle, who is much displeased with this piece of particular attention in the cousin, and he could not help saying so. But he is my cousin, said Susan. And you know one cannot refuse to see one's friends and relations. Besides, he has been, at all times, very kind and good nature to me, so that I cannot do otherwise than to receive him kindly. Oh, to be sure, said Jack. By all manner of means, only we must understand each other, Susan. There can't be more than one captain aboard at a time. How very odd you do talk, Mr. Pringle. My cousin will ask you what you mean. Will he now, said Jack? Well, he may do so if he like. But my lingo will be as good as his, I am sure. But we shall see him, however. But, Susan, you don't care anything about him, you know. Not a bit, Mr. Pringle. Only as a cousin, you know. Oh, very well, said Jack. I don't care about that a bit. But if it's so be, you're going to carry on any games. You know? Why, I won't stand it. Oh, honor, said Susan, looking tenderly at Jack. Honor, you know. Do you think I could be capable of doing so? No, I never do anything unbeknown to a person. No, I say, let all be fair in no preference. Well, said Jack. But I want all fair. But I should have no objection to a low preference, too. Don't you give no preference to me over a soldier, Susan? Don't know, said Susan. But she gave a look towards Jack that made him suspend the libation he was about to pour down his throat. Oh, I see how it is with you, Susie, said Jack, becoming more familiar and pleased. For Susan's black eye had a magical effect upon Jack, and he felt as if Susan must love him as much as he loves Susan. Her eyes told him more than her tongue. Jack was quite sure of that. When is he coming, said Jack? Tonight, said Susan, and you must promise me you will be very quiet and civil, and then you shall see him. Only you won't take any notice of what he says or does. No, no, said Jack. It's all right. I understand. I won't quarrel with him. No, not even if he were to, but splinter my main mast if I could stand that. Stand what? inquired Susan demurely. Kissing of you, said Jack, striking the table with his fist so as to make the glass that happened to be there tremble. I couldn't. I could stand the cat first. Lower, Mr. Pringle, who asked you to do so? I am sure. I would not do such a thing. What, said Jack? Why, to let him kiss me, to be sure. Jack looked, perhaps felt, electrified, and after a moment's pause, took his quid out of his mouth, hitched up his trousers, and then seized Susan by the waist, and gave her a kiss. It was a kiss. Such a one only as a man of war's man could give. It went off like the rapport of a pistol. Lower, Mr. Pringle, said Susan. I thought you were quite another sort of man. What would my cousin, the Dragoon, have said if he had seen you? Dear me! You must have alarmed the whole house. I didn't think you were going to make so much noise, though. A footstep approached, and the landlady thrust her head in, but Susan was busy, and Jack was chewing his quid as grand as an admiral. Susan? Yes, ma'am, replied Susan. What's the matter? Don't know, ma'am. Didn't know there was anything wrong at all, ma'am. I thought I heard a plate smash just now. Are you sure you haven't broken anything? Yes, quite, ma'am. Oh! said the landlady. I certainly thought I heard a smash. But I suppose it was a mistake altogether. However, I am glad of it. There, said Susan when she had gone, I told you how you had alarmed the place. Well, said Jack, who felt much abashed at what had happened. I didn't make so much noise, either. But never mind. The evening came round, and with it came the Dragoon, as fine a specimen of military dress, discipline, and riotism, as can well be let loose upon a decent community, and Susan met him in the passage. Ah! my pretty Susan, said the son of Mars. The star of my destiny and the hope of my heart. While I wear spurs, I will love you ever dearest.  It won't do. You say too many fine things, you know. Of course I do. But I can say them without occasion. No. As well might you want day without daylight, the moon without moonlight. You inspire me, you see, and without you I couldn't say anything. I dare say not, replied Susan. You are such a man that you make one believe what you say. You ought, since I speak the truth and nothing else. But come, come, we'll go in. I want to talk to you, Susan. I came on purpose to see you. There's the bar made in the plough and gooseberry bush, quite sulky because I didn't stop there. But I know I promised you I would come, and so I would be as good as my word. Are you sure she was sulky? Certain, because she did would not say goodbye. Well, but now I want to speak to you about something I want to explain. Explain, my dear. I'll explain anything that can be explained. I don't mind what it is. You'll never find me backward, in coming forward with any amount of explanation that you can by any possibility require. That is not what I want. I have a cousin here. I, I'm not particular. I will pay her every kind of attention. I am sure you will acknowledge I am not wanting in any attentions to you. Oh, dear no. But it is not a female cousin that I want to speak to you about. Indeed, I can't tolerate another. Yes, but you must. He's just come from sea, and is a very odd man, but an uncommonly good-hearted man. So don't take any particular notice of what he'd says or does. I don't mind him a bit, not the value of a pinch of snuff. Yes, but you must do that. Only don't do anything to vex him. You can be pleasant company when you please, I know. And so I will. To please be you will, for though I don't care anything for him more than if he were my brother, yet he's very fond of me. That's no recommendation to me, said the dragoon. A spoony anchor-buttons, I suppose. You must be civil to him, or I will never see you any more. Well, then, my charmer, I will say anything you like to the saltwater fish of yours. But he mustn't lay hands upon you. If he should do so, why I should be obliged to chastise him. But he's a man of war's man, and I'm a man of war myself, my dear. Lore, said Susan. A palm which she turned her eyes and faced towards the dragoon, who could not let such an opportunity slip. And he immediately saluted her in true military style, but he did not commit the same offence that Jack Pringle did, for the former told no tale by the reports. It was all quiet, and he followed Susan until they came to the room in which Jack was sitting. This is Mr. John Pringle, she said. I, I, said Jack. Here I am, Jack Pringle, a floater on shore, all the same. And this, continued Susan, is Mr. Robert Swabham. How do you do, said Jack, Mr. Swabham? I dare say it is so. But since we are to be shipmates, we may as well be friends. How do you do? Pretty well, I thank you, Mr. Pringle, very well indeed. Hope I see you quite well, and at home? Yes, quite so, both ways. Well, and at home. The devil! Yes, we call him Davy Jones, but then I suppose you have one on purpose, in your line. Why? There's a little of the devil in us. That is pretty well admitted on all hands. And that's as much as we have any wish to have in way of connection with the gentleman whom you name. I, I. Maybe you'll know more of him before you are done. But no matter. Sit down, messmate. We can discuss a can of grog, I reckon. Yes, easily. I can do my duties in any point, friends. You may best please. Facing an enemy, drinking a can, or kissing a lass, what more can you say? I can do the same myself as some I know can testify, if they chose to speak. Said Jack, who gave a sly look at Susan, but at the same time she nearly fell a- laughing, when reminded of Jack's tremendous smack, which the landlady mistook for a smashing of crockery. But how so, remember? cried Jack, who had relapsed into a grim smile. We'll have a can together. Very well. Susan, will you do what is needful for us? If the landlady would allow me, I'd wait upon you and do all your work. And a pretty boobery, said Susan. She would make of it. You would soon get discharged for tasting the grog on its way from the bar to the parlor. Ah, well, I might get in trouble if I did that. What do you say, friend Jingle? Pringle, said Jack. Ah, oh, ah, ringle. I have it now distinctly. Why you swab, said Jack in a rage. I ain't got so Nick-Sean names as them. Mine's quite different altogether. So say what you like. My name, said the soldier, ain't Swab. But Swab'em, at your service. Ah, said Jack, whether Swab or Swab'em, it don't much matter. We almost fill our place. Some are luckier than others, though they might be cousins. Cousins? Cursed cousins, say I. Same here, said Jack, and then they both stared at each other, believing each other's cousins to Susan, though not to each other. I am glad you are here, said Susan. I have the grog for you. It's extra strong. I know, because I put some more into it. I turned the tap on into each, and she didn't see me do it. Ah, Susan, I see you have a great regard for me. But it's not more than you ought when you come to consider how I respect you, said the soldier. The same here, said Jack, who thought this pretty good for a cousin. I admire Susan. She's got such eyes and such cheeks. So she has. They are like diamonds set in roses. That they are. Yes, said Jack. And it's soft as velvet. Damn, said the soldier. You beat me a hollow.  Where, said Jack, putting the can down? Why, where there were been to fire into us again, I'll warrant you it was none of your field days, where people are tearing their hearts out to look fine. No, no. The Lee Scupper ran with the blood, and every heart was a true British sailors. Well, that was good. But when I served on foreign service, there was no getting out of the way of danger, behind a wall, stone, brick, or wooden. No, nor even laying on the ground. We had not even that. For as we fought, we destroyed the very building which supported us, and we had the spirits of the sea to contend against us, as well as the dangers of the fight. Oh, it's all very well, said the soldier. But danger's danger, and there's an end to that matter. Only I wish there was no such thing as bad grog. That's a great evil. Why, what do you think we did at Portsmouth the day after we landed? The landlord gave us bad grog, and how do you think we served him? Why, we made him drink it till he was so drunk, he couldn't lay down without being afraid of falling.  Well, I recollect a place in Portugal where they brought us some wine which we couldn't drink. It was horribly thin and sour. We had it vain asked for better, but none was to be had in our building. Indeed, we felt sure there was better, and we determined to have it. We called our landlord and told him we were resolved to ruin him if he didn't bring it up. We would have better wine, but he protested he had not got any. Now we were resolved to search, and accordingly we did search, until we came upon some beautiful wine. Some of the best port ever I tasted, and we made free with it. At all events, we drank as much as we could drink, and then fell fast asleep, and forgot to punish our landlord for the rascality. But I suppose he was well aware of what he deserved, for he endeavored to excite some of the peasantry about to murder us while we were slept, and when we awoke we found ourselves surrounded by a dozen men. There was but three of us, but we were armed, and the peasants had nothing but miscellaneous description of weapons, old guns, swords, and clubs, but they were not the men we were. Well, it came to a hard fight. More blows were struck, however, than did any mischief, because we could make use of our tools, and fought so hard that they were glad to leave us victors. Lord said, Susan, you don't mean that, do you? I do indeed, but that was nothing. I frightened a whole regimen of the enemy. A, said Jack. What's a whole ship's compliment, A? Well, that will do. Go ahead. You beat all the cousins as ever I've heard of, if you don't never mind me. That is all about it. A good yarn, well spun, is worth a glass of grog at any time. Well, I'll tell you all about it. It's sooner told than done. I can tell you. But never mind. Susan, don't be frightened. It's all past now, though it was true. But the best things must have an end, some time or other, and this had one too. I was serving in Spain. I fought against the French then. And though I say so, you may depend upon it, I took my chances as well as any other man. However, I had many inclinations to go a step or two beyond my strict duty, and do more than I was obliged. But what of it? If you succeed, you are sure to be rewarded. And I wanted, if I could, to capture a pair of colors, which would give me a step in my regiment. Charge, my brave boys, shouted the Colonel, as the enemy appeared coming down upon us. There were three or four to one, besides a reserve at a short distance, but we thought nothing of that. We had every reason to believe we were outnumbered. But that was all, and we drove hard at them. It was a glorious sight to see us full tear at the heavy armored Calvary, in squadrons, but they had the advantage of weight and number of men. Yet our shock was so great that many of the enemy were thrown out of their saddles, and many more were killed. We hewed and hacked at each other for some time, until, in fact, the enemy began to give way. As soon as we began to find out that, we urged our horses on, and ourselves to strain our utmost, and we forced them back, and they began to turn about in bright earnestness, and show us their heels. Unfortunately for us there were no other troops at hand to support us. I say, unfortunately, for while we were engaged in beating a larger force than our own, and which even then outnumbered us, we were taken in the rear by the reserves, and many men were cut down before our men could be called off. Among those who were taken prisoner was myself. I had received one or two severe wounds, which were indeed considered mortal, but which were not so dangerous as they were believed. However, as I kept my saddle, I was taken prisoner, indeed. I was unable to offer any resistance.  "'Lore! How dreadful!' said Susan. It was dreadful to think of it, then. But I did not. I was too much occupied with my desire to do my duty, so heeded and excited to think of anything about it. I was dragged away. Then what became of me? I don't know, but I have some recollection of having a cloak thrown over me, and I rode away in company with them. I know we went away very fast, for they dreaded another charge of our men, and they had succeeded in escaping and reforming, and they were hovering reinforced upon our march. Well, that night, as I was deemed too badly wounded to give them any trouble or attempting to make an escape, they let me lie in a stable. I fainted away. And, after several attempts to restore me, they left me as a hopeless case. But it was no matter to them, they didn't grieve. I wondered in my own mind, as to the reason of their doing so much, but I suppose it was that prisoners were at a premium with them at that time, and they were anxious to return as large a number of prisoners as possible. And, upon the principal, which induced the elderly dame to attempt emptying the sea with a teaspoon, that every little was a help, they thought that if I lived I should be one more, and where the numbers were small one was of importance. They gave me up as a bad job altogether, and after they had racked up their horses, they sat down for the evening to their meat and their wine. They had been all conversing together, but they were about to lie down and have some sleep, when suddenly I woke from my trance, and walked out without at all knowing what I did. The men stared at me, and shook like so many aspens, but did not stir till one of them said, A ghost! A ghost! This had the effect of clearing the place, for they all jumped up and ran away from the spot, leaving me master of the place, and judging that I was alone, I very soon made my way back to the quarters of the English, and got to the quarters of my old regiment, where I was kindly received, my comrades having given me up and lost.  Especially in towing a fire ship among the enemy, I was once on an expedition of that sort when I was in the Mediterranean. Lore! A fire ship! What's that, inquired Susan? A ship load of fire, with lots of combustible, said Jack. It's a thing that won't do for a plaything. Well, the enemy had several, and as we came up to them, we found they had the wind in their favour, and the first thing they did was to put out several of these fire ships. But the wind was not direct for them, it was shifting. Well, we were ordered to man the boats, and tow the fire ships back again amongst the enemy. Well, you may be sure that they didn't like that, especially when the fire ships blew up. They did so with a dreadful explosion, setting fire to friend an enemy, and blowing them out of the water. This we did, and as we towed the vessel along, we were fired at, at a pretty smart rate, I can tell you, why the very sea seemed to boil around us. Lore! said Susan, how dreadful! Why, it's horrible here when the pot boils, and Heaven knows what it must have been there. Why, I am sure, I wonder how you escaped being scalded to death. Why? Some on them did get killed, said Jack. My starboard man was shot through the head, and one or two more went on an errand to Davy Jones. It was lucky for them, said Susan, that they were set out of the way when there was so much danger going on around you. I am sure I should have been glad. Maybe so, said Jack, turning his quid, but I know this. Them as was sent up on the errand never came back any more. They stayed away altogether, many of them becoming food for the sharks. However, we towed away, and the breeze shifting, we got pretty well among them, and then we left the fire-ships, where they ought to be, among the enemy. Well, we had a hard pull to get back. There being five or six ships firing broadside after broadside at us, but they never hit the boat. The other boat they did hit, and a shot went clear through her, and she went down in the deep water. And what became of the poor men that were in it, inquired Susan, horrified at the detail. Some on them were drowned, and some were safe, said Jack. But we had scarcely reached our own vessel when the fire-ships blew up, setting fire to and damaging several of the enemy, who were near at hand, and covering the sea with bits of burning timber, and many fell into the ships, setting fire to their rigging, and knocking men on their head, and doing a world of mischief besides. Goodness me, said Susan, what a dreadful thing to be sure! I should not like to be near a fire-ship. At all events, Mrs. is quite a fire-ship here. There were but a few observations to make. Jack thought he had quieted the dragoon, and had given him a dose of salt water, and moreover Jack oogled the maid of the inn, in such a way that speedily brought the military hero to a sense of his danger, so curling his mustache with his finger he said, Well, it's all very well talking of the dangers of the sea, but it's nothing to a storming party. A storming party? What's that, inquired Susan? Why, I'll tell you, my dear, and then you'll know all about it. You see, when we were at the siege of Bang Powder, never heard of such a place, interposed Jack, what's the bearing of that outlandish place? Oh, never there, eh? said the dragoon contemptuously. Then you don't know it. Talk of dangers you should have been there, and you would have known what danger was. However, I'll enlighten your ignorance. You must see, Susan, my dear, that at Bang Powder we were very little use in the way of assisting the siege, except that we acted as outposts, foraging parties, and kept off the light-suits of the enemy when they shoot themselves, while the infantry set to work in the trenches to work the guns. They did work them above a bit, too, for weeks together there was firing day and night on our side and on theirs, so the air was never without a strong smell of gunpowder, which you might smell for twelve leaks quite strong. Lord, said Susan, smash my timbers, said Jack Pringle, if you ain't a comin' it strong this time. Well, continued the dragoon, taking no notice of what was said. Well, that was nothing. That was a mere trifle. After some weeks firing, we made a hole in the wall, which increased day after day until big enough for a man to enter. After that, a storming party was ordered. But, after more than one attempt, our men gave it up as a bad job. Our captain, being a daredevil sort of fellow, and not liking to see men beaten back, said the breach was practicable, and could be entered. This was denied by the officers and men who had been defeated, and he said if his own troop would volunteer, he would undertake to enter the place. This was told us, and we all at once volunteered to follow him to the devil, if he chose to go. He had once informed the commander-in-chief, and we were ordered to mount the breach. To do this we, of course, dismounted, and went on foot. There was some little excitement upon this manner, but we were cheered as we passed, and when we arrived within a few yards of the wall, we were met by a tremendous fire of all arms. This, however, did not daunt us, though it thinned our ranks, and we were less in number. But up the breach we went, one man at a time, six of them, one after another, were knocked over dead as herrings. Well, the men began to look blue over this. They wouldn't have minded rushing on in a body, and giving and taking till they all died. But to get on top of a brick wall, one at a time, to be shot at, why it was more than they liked, especially as they had not struck one blow, or fired a single shot in return. Hurrah, lads, said I! I'll have a shine now. Come on, follow me quick! I jumped up and cleared the wall, though a thousand bullets were fired, and got over clear without a shot, save one that shaved some of my whisker off. We all got over, and soon after were followed by some of the other regiments, and the place was our own. But we were nearly stripped naked. Oh, Lord! How was that, inquired Susan interested. Why, we had so many narrow escapes that our clothes were all shot to shreds. Goodness! Oh, but it is true, said the dragoon rising, and going out of the kitchen. In a few moments afterwards Susan left it also, and Jack, after turning his quid, and squirting the tobacco juice on the floor, rose and hitched up his trousers with a preliminary, damn, left the kitchen also. But he hadn't gotten far when, oh horror, he perceived Susan in the arms of the dragoon, whose moustache lips more than once met hers. Sink the ship, Mother Jack. Here's a pretty go, the black-looking piratical thief. But Jack's piece was soon held, as he listened to the assignation which Jack was determined he would keep himself to the discomforture of the dragoon. Having made up his mind upon this point, he returned to the kitchen, and Susan also in very few moments. But Jack pretended to be asleep and wouldn't speak to her, because he thought she hadn't behaved well in this affair of the dragoon, who was resolved, however, in substituting himself for the soldier, or at all events, of making a row. The time came, and Jack stationed himself upon a position where he could with ease lift the dragoon into the water-butt below, in case he offered any opposition to the substitution before named. The moment came round, and the dragoon was seen slowly and cautiously mounting the way to the window of Susan. It was a kind of leads just above the water-butt, accessible by means of some wooden steps. Avast there, said Jack, when he got up to the level with the top. What do you do there? What is that to you, inquired the dragoon? A great deal, replied Jack. But you don't come here. I heard all about it. But I tell you what.  But I am. Don't attempt, or I'll sink you. I will, by all that's good. So keep back, and go away. I'll see you dead first, said the dragoon. I have mounted a worse breach than this before today, but I suspect there isn't much danger here. He ran up and soon faced Jack, who seized him round the waist, would have lifted him up in his arms, and could have thrown him into the water-butt. Only Jack's foot suddenly slipped, and he fell down, the soldier upon him, who in an instant regained his feet, and rolled Jack over and over, until he came to the water-butt. Into this Jack went, head first, and kicked and floundered about. And if the water-butt had not been very rotten, and gave way, letting all the water escape, it is very doubtful if Jack would not have found a watery grave in the confined space of a water-butt. As it was, he was more than blind and breathless, and sat down in the midst of the water on the stones to recover himself from the immersion he had undergone. The Proposal of Jack Pringle to Take Anderson to the Wedding A circumstance now occurred which soon enabled Jack Pringle to console himself for the misadventure he had had, which he was delighted to think was not known to any of those persons, with whom he came ordinarily into contact. The pleasant circumstance to which we allude was the reception of a letter from the Admiral, and by the mere fact of his writing such an epistle to Jack, it would seem to be perfectly true that he really felt unhappy without the companionship of that worthy. The letter was to the following effect. Jack, you mutinous rascal. Your Levi of absence has expired, and you know you ought to have a round dozen when you come back to your ship. But as it turns out, you may stay where you are, for a reason that I am going to tell you. There is to be a wedding at the very place where you are staying, between some odd fish, a baron's something. I don't know who. But as we have been all invited, we are coming down to the whole lot of us, and shall arrive on Thursday.  No more at present from your vagabond, you know who. What an affectionate letter, said Jack. I know the old fellow couldn't do without me long. He's quite an old baby, that's what he is. And if I wasn't to take a little notice of him, he would be as miserable as possible. Helloa, what's here? Have you come back? These last words were addressed to James Anderson, who at that moment made his appearance in the cottage of the old seamen. He, having just left the house of the Williamses, after the painful interview which he had recorded, took place between him and Mrs. Williams, during which she had succeeded in convincing him that all his hopes, as regarded Helen, were crushed completely. The appearance of deep deduction that was upon his countenance was such as to convince Jack Pringle, the nature of the business he had been upon, and he cried. Come, come, cheer up, man! I guess now you have been looking after that sweetheart of yours, who is no better than she should be. I have indeed, said James Anderson, been to extinguish all hope. Nothing now lives in my breast but despair. I shall proceed to London at once, to make a report to the Admiralty, as it is my duty to do so. And, after that, I care not what becomes of me. Stuff, stuff, said Jack. I have got some news for you, my old Admiral that I take care of has had an invitation to the very wedding, as I take it to be, of your old sweetheart. What? Is it possible? Do you mean an invitation to Helium Williams's wedding? With the Baron Stolmer of Salzburg? Yes, I do. That's just what I do mean, and no mistake. Here is the letter which he has written to me to go, and I think I shall let the old fellow, for it will amuse him. Just read that. Jack handed the Admiral's letter to James Anderson, which he read with a great deal of interest, and when he had concluded, he said, Mr. Pringle, a sudden thought strikes me. About ships, said Jack? And begin again.  I cannot stand it. Call me Jack, and then go on telling me what your sudden thought is. Well then, Jack, my sudden thought is this, that your friend, the Admiral, might be induced upon your representation to let me join his party, and I would take care to conceal my features and general appearance, so that I should not be known, while I had the mournful satisfaction of taking a last look upon that occasion of her, who I have loved, before she becomes irrevocably the wife of another. If you wish it, said Jack, it shall be done. I'll undertake. There shall be no objections on the part of the Admiral. And as for the Bainesworths, they are a good sort of people, and would do all they can for anybody, I am sure. I should take it as a peculiar favour, for although I feel now that my hopes are blasted, and I can have no possible expectation of beholding her with eyes of pleasure, I still wish to look upon her, that I may see if anything of regret is upon her countenance, of if she has quite forgotten the past. Say no more, said Jack, but consider it is done. I'd take care, though, if I were you, that she did not find me out, for I wouldn't let the finest woman that ever breathed, know not if she was seven feet high, and as big as a hog's head, fancy that I cared so much for her as to go to her wedding after she had jilted me. She shall not see me, said James Anderson. She shall not see me, you may depend, for without doubt the guests will be very numerous, so that I can easily keep myself in the background, and look upon her face without her being at all aware of the presence of such a person at the ceremony. Yes, you can manage that, and if I were you, just as I was going away, I'd give the Baron a jolly good kick, and tell him you wished him the joy of his bargain. I wouldn't do anything violent, you know, but a little quiet thing like that would just show them all what you thought of the business. A sense of my wrong, said James Anderson, should not extinguish a sense of justice, and I have no means of knowing that the Baron is at all in fault in this matter. Oh, you are too nice by one half. If a fellow takes away my sweetheart, hang me if I care who is at fault. Oh, but it is necessary that we should be just at all events, but still, Jack, accept my sincerest thanks for placing me in the way of looking upon Helen. I'd rather see that she was happy and contented with her lot, than I would observe evidence upon her face of any passionate regret. The former would reconcile me, by making me think I had made a great mistake in the object of my attachment, while the latter would leave in my heart a never-ceasing pain. Come on, said Jack. I fear I tax your patience, Jack Pringle, when I talk in such a strain as this. I'll be hanged if you don't. What do you mean by it? There is a lot of women in the world.  I should recommend a bottle of rum. Well, well, Jack, it may happen some day, even with you.  This was hitting Jack rather hard, although James Anderson did not know it. So he said, Ah, well, to be sure, there is something in that, after all, and I don't mean to say there ain't. But, however, keep up your heart, my boy, and there is no saying what may happen yet. Alas, there can nothing happen that gives me pleasure. All is lost now, and the only hope I can have is to forget. Jack would have written a letter back to the admiral in reply to the one which he had received, only that somehow or other he was not a first-rate penman. And as he said, it was such a bother to know where to begin. And when you did begin, it was such a bother to know where to leave off, that, taking all things into consideration, he rather on the whole declined writing at all. And, as the appointed day was near at hand, on which the wedding was to take place, he thought it would do quite as well if he kept the lookout which the admiral had suggested for their arrival of the Bannersworth. As for the scheme of James Anderson to be present at the wedding, the more Jack thought of it, the more he liked it, because he considered that it afforded a chance at all events, if not a good prospect, of a general disturbance as any that had ever existed. Lore, what fun he said, if he would but kick the baron, and then if the baron would but fall foul of him, and the girl scream, and Old Mother Williams go into hysterics, that would be a lark, and no doubt about it. Shouldn't I enjoy it above a bit? I'd give them a helping hand somehow or another, and then, who knows, but the girl may have been regularly batchered by the old cat of a mother into the match, and may wish for all the world to get out of it. There can be no doubt, but that if Helen Williams, even at that last moment, chose to make any appeal, it would not be made in vain to Jack Pringle, who with all his faults, and they were numerous enough, had in his heart a chivalrous love of rites, and a hatred of anything in the shape of oppression, which nothing could subdue. And such qualities as these surely are amply sufficient to atone for a multitude of minor errors, which were more those of habit and defective education than anything else. It very much delighted him to think that the admiral and the Bannersworth were coming down to Anderbury, because such a fact not only prolonged his stay there, which he was pleased it should do, because he was really very much delighted with the place, but it at the same time threw him again into the company he so much liked, and his attachment to the Bannerworth family had really become quite a strong feeling. He waited quiet with impatience until the Thursday came on which the admiral had announced his arrival, and instead of being in the town or on the outskirts to watch for him, which would have been but a tiresome operation, Jack walked boldly on to meet them by the high road, which he knew they must traverse. After he had gone about four miles, he had the satisfaction of seeing, in the distance, a travelling carriage, manned, as he called it, with four horses rapidly approaching, and Jack immediately produced a large silk handkerchief that he had purchased, which was a representation of the national flag of Great Britain. This he fastened to the end of a stick, and commenced waving it about as a signal to the admiral of his presence in the road. At this moment, too, it happened, fortunately for Jack Pringle, as he considered, that a man came across the still in the immediate vicinity where he was with a gun in his hands.  "'I'll see you further first,' said the man, "'you seem to me as if you were out of your mind.' So, saying, he leveled the pieces and birds, which were flying overhead, and fired first one barrel, and then the other in rapid succession. "'Thank you, said Jack, that was all I wanted, and it will answer my purpose exactly. There is nothing like when you display your flag firing a gun or two. It's all right. He sees me. He sees me.' The admiral had actually been looking from the window of the carriage, although he had not expected to see Jack quite so soon. But the appearance of the handkerchief, which was made so much to resemble a flag, convinced him of the fact that Jack had come that distance to meet them, and when he heard the gun fire twice, he was quite delighted, and leaning back in the carriage, he cried. "'Ah, Flora, my dear, it is a great pity that Jack is so given to rum, for he is a remarkably clever fellow. You would hardly believe it now, but he has contrived to hoist a flag just because he sees me coming. Indeed, uncle. Yes, my dear, he has, and didn't you hear that he actually managed to fire a couple of guns, some way or another? I certainly did hear the report, but I had no idea that we were indebted to Jack Pringle's management for them. Oh, yes, I can see him a short distance ahead. He is lying too now.  Notwithstanding the admiral considered, which he certainly did, that the wind was a real impediment to the progress of the carriage. They did in a few moments reach to where Jack Pringle was waiting, when the admiral called out from the window in a loud voice, "'Aloa! What ship! And where are you bound to?' The Jack Pringle was the reply, from Anderbury, and to fall in with the admiral bell, convoy of the pretty flora.  What sure-going humbug, who had never been to sea, would have thought of such a thing?' Well, said Jack, as he walked up to the coach window, for the Bastilians had been ordered to halt, or as the admiral had expressed it, to heave, too. "'Well, here you are, all of you.'" Yes, Jack, said the admiral, and I was just saying I thought you a very clever fellow. I am sorry I can't return the compliment. You poor old creature, said Jack. I hope you haven't gotten yourself into any trouble since I have been away from you.  There you go again. Now you are getting into a passion as usual. What a dreadful thing temper is, to be sure, when you can't manage it. Jack scrambled up behind into the rumble before the admiral could make any reply to him, for indignation stopped his utterance a moment or two. And when he did speak, it was to Flora he addressed himself more particularly, saying, Now, did you ever know a more ungrateful son of a gun than that, after I had just told him that I thought him a clever fellow, for him to burst out, abusing me at that rate? Now I have done with him. "'Oh, you may depend,' admiral Bill,' said Flora, that he doesn't at all mean what he says, and I am convinced that he entertains for you the highest possible respects, and that he is only jesting when he uses those expressions which would seem as if it were otherwise. "'Let's just wait,' said the admiral, till the wedding is over, and then I'll let him know whether a boatswain is to make a joke of an admiral of the fleet.' End of Chapter 117 All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. During this time neither Mrs. Williams nor the Baron Stolmuir were idle spectators of the progress of the hours, but on the contrary, they made the best possible use of the week which was to elapse before the marriage ceremony took place after Helen had given her consent to it. Five hundred pounds in the hands of such a person as Mrs. Williams will go a long way and produce an amazing amount of show and glitter, so that she managed, before the day on which the ceremony was to be performed arrived, to make quite certain that herself and her daughters would present a most dazzling appearance, and she thought it not at all improbable that even at the very church some meritorious individual might be dazzled into thinking of matrimony with one of her other daughters, upon seeing what a brilliant appearance they managed to present upon the marriage of Helen. I am quite sure that no harm can come of it, she said, if no good does, and at all events if no good is done at the church, the Baron will soon be giving parties enough to bring out the dear girls to perfection, particularly as I fully intend we shall all live at Andebury House. Mrs. Williams considered this as a settled point, whether the Baron liked it or not, and knowing as she did the gentle and quiet disposition of Helen, she did not doubt for a moment of being permitted to rule completely over the domestic affairs of her establishment. All this was amazingly satisfactory to such a lady as Mrs. Williams, and the very thing of all others she would have liked had she been looking out for what would please her in the marriage of her daughter. We shall shortly see how these views and opinions were verified by the fact. All the other preparations were left to the Baron, and when he wrote a letter to Mrs. Williams, saying that he would be ready by ten o'clock on the morning which had been named for the nuptials, and would send one of his carriages for the bride, Mrs. Williams was perfectly satisfied that all was quite correct. There was no very good excuse for calling at Andebury House, but if she had then called, she certainly would have been astonished at the preparations which the Baron was making for that day which was so near at hand. It was quite terrific the expense he went to and the gorgeous manner in which he fitted up one of the largest departments in the house, for a dance looked really like expenditure of the most reckless character, and such as indeed it must have required an immense fortune to withstand. The walls of that apartment were hung with crimson draperies of a rich texture, and such beauty of design that they were the admiration of the very workmen themselves who were employed upon the premises. Then the magnificent order he gave for a feast upon the occasion, and the wines he laid in really almost exceeded belief, and such proceedings were indeed highly calculated to give people most exaggerated versions regarding his wealth. He had indeed mentioned to Mrs. Williams that he had silver mines on some of his estates abroad, and that fact to her mind was quite sufficient to account for any amount of money he might possess, because to her ideas of geology and mineralogy, the discovery of a silver mine meant finding a hole of immense width and depth crammed with a precious metal. But be this as it may, and whether the barren Stolmure of Salzburg owed his wealth to silver mines or to other sources, one thing was quite clear, and that was that he had it. And that was the grand point, for in a highly civilized and evangelical country like this, the question of how a man got his money is not near so often asked as has he got it, and it is quite amazing what liberality of feeling and sentiment is immediately infused into people by the fact of successful speculation of any kind, while failure immediately incurs the greatest of opprobrium and contempt. And now the day was so close at hand that Mrs. Williams got into a terrible flutter of spirits, and began really to wish it over, for she was completely ready, and each minute became an hour of impatience to her. She was continually bothering the barren with notes and messages upon different subjects, and he had the urbanity to answer two or three of them, but he soon left that off, and the last half dozen, at the least, were, to Mrs. Williams's great mortification, taken no notice of at all. Some of these notes were upon the most nonsensical points, and several of them, although they did not actually ask it, pretty strongly hinted that more money would be a very desirable thing. The barren would not understand any hint, however, upon the subject, so that Mrs. Williams became fully convinced that she must make the best of it she could, and put up for the present with the five hundred pounds she had already received. But when the day had actually dawned on which the suspicious event was to come off, and upon looking around her she found herself surrounded by gay apparel and jewelry, she almost dreaded that even yet it would turn out to be some delusion or a dream, for she could scarcely believe in the reality of such glory and magnificence belonging to her. But facts are stubborn things, and whether for good or for evil, are not likely to be got over, so when she looked out of the windows and saw that a bright morning sun was shining, and that the life, animation, and bustle of the day was commencing, she told herself that it was indeed real, and that she had reached very nearly the summit of her desires and expectations. Yes, she exclaimed, I shall be mother-in-law to a barren, and I daresay I shall have at least twenty servants in Anterbury House to command and control continually. A more gratifying reflection than this could not possibly have presented itself to Mrs. Williams, for if any one thing could be more delightful than another, it certainly was that kind of petty power which gives an individual a control over a large establishment. After she had arisen on that eventful morning, she did not allow her establishment many minutes repose, but in the course of half an hour all was bustle, excitement, and no small share of confusion. And while she was thus energetically pushing on her preparations, let us see what the Bannerworths are about, now that they have fairly arrived at Anterbury, and are in readiness, probably, to be present at the ceremony. By flora's intercession a peace was established between Jack and the Admiral, and the former took the latter down to the old seamen's cottage in order to introduce him to James Anderson, and on the road he made him acquainted with the particulars of the young man's story, at the same time informing him of the wish that Anderson had expressed to be permitted to join their party. Oh, certainly, said the Admiral, certainly, let him come by all means, although I must say that he ought to leave for London at once with his dispatches, or at all events with the news that he had lost them. However, I am not on active service, and therefore have no right to do anything more than advise him in the matter. Oh, he will go, said Jack, as soon as he has seen his sweetheart, and perhaps kicked the Baron, for though he said he wouldn't, I live in hopes yet that he will be aggravated enough to do it. The Admiral liked James Anderson so much that he not only promised him he should go to the wedding under cover of the general invitation which he, the Admiral, had received, but he proposed, likewise, that he should come home with him at once and be introduced to the Bannerworths, and by home he meant the inn at Anterbury where they were staying. The young man expressed himself highly gratified at this invitation, and at once accepted it, so that they walked towards the inn together, and began to make preparations for their appearance at Anterbury House. Flora and the Bannerworths, as well as Charles, received young Anderson very graciously, and they each expressed to him their sympathy for the painful situation in which the Baron's marriage was placing him. Flora and Charles Holland, as may be well supposed, could both feel, and feel acutely too for anyone crossed in his affection, as poor James Anderson was, and it certainly much damped the satisfaction they had in going to what everybody told them would certainly be the most brilliant wedding that had taken place in that part of the country for many a year. Let us hope, said Henry Bannerworth, that you will find some other Mr. Anderson who will be more worthy of your esteem than she who has treated so lightly your affection and her own faith. I know not, said Anderson, whether to accuse her or not, for who knows, but after all she may be the victim of treachery, notwithstanding the apparent powerful evidence that has been given to me by her mother. The Bannerworth family were determined, and so was the admiral, that they would bestow what credit they could upon those who had so kindly invited them, and, accordingly, when they started for the hall in the handsome carriage which had brought them down to Andebury, they certainly presented a rather showy and attractive appearance. But still, when they reached the entrance to Andebury House, they found that theirs was by no means the only equipage of the kind that was there to be seen, for although both the entrances were open for the reception of guests, they had to wait a considerable time before they could get up to either of them. One hundred and fifty guests, sixty or eighty of whom kept equipages, were calculated to make some little degree of confusion, but when the Bannerworth family fairly got within the house, everything else was forgotten in their admiration of the brilliant arrangements within. The richest carpets were laid down that money could purchase, and servants in gorgeous liveries ushered the guests into an immense hall in which the marriage ceremony was to take place, in which was decorated with a splendor that was perfectly regal. And here a new set of domestics glided noiselessly about with various refreshments upon silver salvers, and the place began rapidly to fill with such an assemblage of wealth and beauty and rank as perhaps scarcely ever had been congregated in one place before. But among those whose beauty attracted much attention, we may need well reckon our friend Flora Bell, as she was now properly called, and whose sweet countenance was the cause of many a passing observation couched in the most flattering terms. It wanted yet an hour to the time of the ceremony being performed, and the Bannerworths, as they saw that their companion, young Anderson, was in a painful state of excitement, all sat down in the deep recess of a large window to wait the coming of the bride and bridegroom. I don't think, Mr. Anderson, said Henry, that your coming here at all was a well-advised step, but since you are here you should muster up resolution enough not to betray any feeling. I will not betray it, although I feel it, said Anderson. Rely upon it that I shall look much firmer and act much firmer when she whom I wish to see is actually here, than I do at present. I am enduring suspense now, and that is the worst of all. I do wish, Interpose Flora, that you had seen her whom you love before the ceremony, for in that case, although you might have endured the pang of finding that she was willing to call herself another's, you would have been spared the pain of this day's proceeding. I wished to heaven I had seen her, but I knew not how to arrange such a meeting, and when I was shown in her own handwriting, which I knew too well to doubt, a consent to be the wife of another, I no longer had the spirit and the perseverance to ask to see her, and it was an afterthought that made me wish to look upon her face once more before I left her forever. What, said Jack Pringle, suddenly making his appearance, is he gammoning you with his feelings? Oh, so you have got in, have you? said the Admiral. So I have got in. Why, what do you mean by that? Of course I have got in. Wasn't I invited?  I should not be surprised to see you take out your handkerchief to blow your eye instead of your nose. Laterally, Jack, when he made one of these speeches, always walked away very quickly, leaving the Admiral's anger to evaporate as best it might, so that he escaped the retort which otherwise he might have received. Chapter 119 A Rather Strange Circumstance at the Baron's Wedding At length the hour came, so anxiously looked for and expected by all the Baron Stolmeyer's guests, and the great clock which was in one of the turrets of Andeberry House proclaimed that the minute had arrived when all was presumed to be ready for the union. All eyes were directed to a large table that was placed at one extremity of the hall and covered with crims and velvet, and at which the ceremony was to be performed. The Bannerworths were little forward so that they commanded a good view of everything, and James Anderson was completely hidden from observation behind the bulky form of the Admiral. Now a small door opened and an archdeacon somebody who had been engaged, as you would engage a celebrated performer at some theater to perform the ceremony, made his appearance accompanied by several ladies and gentlemen whom he had brought with him to partake of some of the Baron's good things. In a few moments from another doorway came the bride, accompanied by six bridesmaids, but she was covered with such a massive lace veil from her head to her feet that not the slightest vestige of her countenance was visible. But still Flora thought that, as the bride first came in, she heard from beneath that veil a deep and agonized sob, and she remarked the circumstance to Charles who confirmed her opinion by at once saying, It was so and I don't think it at all likely that we should both be mistaken. There was a slight murmur of applause and admiration among the assembled guests as the bride took her seat by the table, for although there were many there who had never seen her face, there were likewise many who had, and even those who had not could not but perceive by her graceful movements and the delicate outline of her figure that they were looking upon a creature of rare beauty and worth. It was astonishing that the bridegroom should be late, and the audience who were present began to be indignant at such a fact and whispered together concerning it in language not very flattering to the baronet who, had he heard it, would have found that he must mind what he was about or his rapidly acquired popularity would soon be at a discount. Minute after minute thus passed, and Mrs. Williams, who was attired in a richly flowing garment of white silk embroidered with flowers, began to be in a most particular fidget. Where could be the baron? Good God, where is the baron? And some one or two said, damn the baron, when suddenly the door at which the bride had entered was again flung open, and two servants in rich liveries made their appearance, one standing on each side of it. Then there was heard approaching a slow and measured footstep, and presently attired in a court suit of rich velvet the baron Stolmeyer of Salzburg appeared in the hall and marched up to the table. He had but just time to execute half about to the assembled multitude when Admiral Bell called out in a voice that awakened every echo in the place, It's Varney the Vampire by God! Yes, it was Varney, the bold, reckless, audacious Varney who had thus come out in a new character, and with vast pecuniary resources, acquired heaven knows how or where, was seeking to ally himself to one so young and beautiful as Helen Williams. We do absolutely and positively despair of giving an adequate idea to the reader of the scene that followed. Ladies shrieked, the bride fainted. Mrs. Williams went into strong hysterics and kicked everybody. Jack Pringle shouted until he was hoarse, while Varney turned and made a dash to escape through the door at which he had just entered. James Anderson, however, by springing over a table, succeeded in clutching him by the collar behind, but Varney turned on the instant and lifting him from the ground as if he had been a child. He flung him among a tray of confectionery and wine, and from thence he rolled into Mrs. Williams lap. Following close, however, upon the footsteps of Anderson in pursuit of Varney had been Henry Bannerworth, but he accomplished nothing except to strike his head violently against the door through which Varney escaped and which was dashed in his face and immediately bolted on the other side. He is a vampire, shouted the admiral.  Varney the vampire and no more a baron than I am a broomstick.  It's the bride's mother, said somebody. What's that to me, roared the admiral? It don't make her a bit less of a nuisance. I offer a hundred pounds reward for Varney the vampire, and there might be some people here that know the house well enough to catch him. Do you mean a hundred pounds for Master, sir? said a great footman with yellow plush breeches. Yes, I do, you hog in armor, said the admiral. The footman rushed through another doorway in a moment, and then Jack Pringle jumped upon a chair and waving his hat cried, Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah! Three cheers for old Varney. I'll tell you what it is, messmates.  My eye, what a game we will have to be sure. I am coming. At this moment the admiral gave such a kick to one of the hind legs of the chair that down came Jack as quickly as if he had disappeared through some trap door.  I'll settle him, said Mrs. Williams, who had suddenly recovered, and had not Jack suddenly made his escape, it is highly probable she would have made him a regular scapegoat in the affair, and that he alone, for Anderson had pretty quickly escaped her, would have felt the consequences of her deep disappointment. The confusion now became, if anything, worse than at first for many of the guests who had looked on apparently quite stunned and paralyzed at what had taken place, now recovered and joined their voices to the general clamor. Some, to rush out of the place, took the opportunity of going through the different rooms, while a number, who had heard of the widespread fame of Varney the Vampire, and who were utterly astonished to find him in the baron, one in the same person, joined in the pursuit with the hope of taking prisoner so alarming a personage. No one knew for some time what had become of the clergymen, until Jack Pringle saw a human foot sticking out from under the table, upon which he took hold of it, and with a pull dragged the Archdeacon somebody fairly out, to the great horror of some of the very religious old ladies who were present, who considered that an Archdeacon must be somebody very wonderful indeed. Hello, Mr. Parson, said Jack. I suppose you thought it was your old friend the devil come for you before your time. But cheer up, I know him, it's only a vampire, and that's nothing when you're used to it. Jack did not seem at all to think that it was necessary he should assist in the capture of Varney, and probably the real fact was, he did not care whether Varney was captured or not, so he walked to one of the tables, which were loaded with refreshments, and knocking the neck off a bottle of champagne, he gave a nod to Mrs. Williams, saying, Come, old girl, take something to drink, that red nose of yours looks as if you knew something of the bottle. It's only me, so you needn't be shy. Ah, it's devilish good wine, though. I do give old Varney credit for getting up the thing decently, which he certainly has, and no mistake. Who has seen my daughter? Where is my daughter? cried Mrs. Williams, as she looked about her in vain for Helen. You needn't trouble yourself, man, said the admiral. She has just walked off with a little fellow of the name of Anderson, who, although he was no match for Varney the vampire, I think will turn out to be the one for your daughter. Mrs. Williams was thoroughly thunder-stricken, and she sat down in a chair and commenced ringing her hands and muttering as she did so. Oh, that I should have lived to see this day. Oh, that I should have existed to be so, so. Jolly well humbugged, ma'am, said Jack Pringle, with a vampire instead of a baron. Why, Lord bless you, ma'am, nobody in their senses would have taken old Varney for a baron. Why, he is a regular old bloodsucker he is, and a nice family you would have had. But, however, if you are fond of him, you can marry him yourself, you know, now. And I shouldn't at all wonder, but he will consent, for a man will put up with any damned old cat when he finds he can't get a better. Good God, said Mrs. Williams. I think I know your voice now. Ain't you, Admiral Green? I've asked there, said Jack. I ain't nothing of the kind. They calls me Colonel Bluebottle of the Horse Marines. The what? The Horse Marines, ain't you never hear of them, ma'am? I certainly never did. But don't try to deceive me, sir.  I shall be able to explain to you. What, said Jack? Why, that really, you will scarcely believe it. But really, Admiral Green, my daughter Julia is, although I say it, one of the best of girls. Oh, I dare say she is, ma'am, but I don't know as that much matters to me. Excuse me, Admiral Green, but it really does, and you must know, of course it's quite between ourselves, this, that she happened to see you when you did me the honor of calling upon me. Did she really? Yes, my dear Admiral, and do you know, ever since then, she has been positively raving about you, and as you were good enough to say, the barons should not stand in the way of your affections, allow me to recommend Julia to you. Oh, that's it, is it? Said Jack. Well, ma'am, I should not have said no, only that you ain't half particular enough for me. Not particular, oh, good God. No, ma'am, you ain't. Here you would have married one of your daughters to a vampire, and how do I know what other sort of odd fish you might bring into the family?  I don't mind standing something devilish-handsome if you will marry old Barney yourself. What, the baron that was and the vampire that is? I marry him. Oh, dear, no, I really could not. That is to say, how much would you give, Admiral Green? Ah, said Jack, I knew it. Who says after this that women won't marry the very devil himself if they only have the chance? And now, Mother Williams, I'll just tell you what you have done. The fact is, I took a fancy to you myself, and that's why I came here at all today. I meant to have proposed to you, and if you had only said you would not have the baron vampire for any money, damn it, I would have had you myself and settled a matter of fifteen thousand pounds a year upon you. Oh, gracious Providence, what do I hear? Just what I says, I'm a man of my word, ma'am, and would have done it. Mrs. Williams was so affected at the chance she had lost that she quite forgot to look after Helen, but was actually compelled to indulge herself with a glass or two of something strong and powerful, which she said was sherry, but which somebody else said was brandy, in order to recover from the faint feeling that would come over her. After this, Jack thought that he had had about the bitterest revenge upon Mrs. Williams that it was possible to achieve, and he was quite right as far as that went. The old Admiral, too, who overheard some part of the colloquy, was quite delighted with it, and again told himself what a clever fellow Jack was and quite a wonderful character in his way. Ah, he said, one would have to sail a tolerable lot of voyages before finding anybody as was exactly Jack's equal, and I'll be hanged if I don't forgive him for the next piece of mutinous conduct he is guilty of on account of the way he has served out that horrid old mother Williams. For in all my life I never saw a woman I disliked more. Stop, what am I saying? Did I really forget Mrs. Chillingworth, the doctor's wife? That was too bad. End of chapter 119