d Cobbs!" and "Dear Cobbs!" and bent across him
to kiss one another in the delight of their confiding hearts, he felt
himself the meanest rascal for deceiving 'em that ever was born.

"Is there anything you want just at present, sir?" says Cobbs, mortally
ashamed of himself.

"We should like some cakes after dinner," answered Master Harry, folding
his arms, putting out one leg, and looking straight at him, "and two
apples,--and jam. With dinner we should like to have toast-and-water.
But Norah has always been accustomed to half a glass of currant wine at
dessert. And so have I."

"It shall be ordered at the bar, sir," says Cobbs; and away he went.

Boots has the feeling as fresh upon him at this minute of speaking as he
had then, that he would far rather have had it out in half-a-dozen rounds
with the Governor than have combined with him; and that he wished with
all his heart there was any impossible place where those two babies could
make an impossible marriage, and live impossibly happy ever afterwards.
However, as it couldn't be, he went into the Governor's plans, and the
Governor set off for York in half an hour.

The way in which the women of that house--without exception--every one of
'em--married _and_ single--took to that boy when they heard the story,
Boots considers surprising. It was as much as he could do to keep 'em
from dashing into the room and kissing him. They climbed up all sorts of
places, at the risk of their lives, to look at him through a pane of
glass. They was seven deep at the keyhole. They was out of their minds
about him and his bold spirit.

In the evening, Boots went into the room to see how the runaway couple
was getting on. The gentleman was on the window-seat, supporting the
lady in his arms. She had tears upon her face, and was lying, very tired
and half asleep, with her head upon his shoulder.

"Mrs. Harry Walmers, Junior, fatigued, sir?" says Cobbs.

"Yes, she is tired, Cobbs; but she is not used to be away from home, and
she has been in low spirits again. Cobbs, do you think you could bring a
biffin, please?"

"I ask your pardon, sir," says Cobbs. "What was it you--?"

"I think a Norfolk biffin would rouse her, Cobbs. She is very fond of
them."

Boots withdrew in search of the required restorative, and when he brought
it in, the gentleman handed it to the lady, and fed her with a spoon, and
took a little himself; the lady being heavy with sleep, and rather cross