marry you to the
gunner's daughter," he answered.

"That is very cruel treatment," exclaimed Tom; "you'll drive me to quit
the service and expatriate myself for ever."

Jack only laughed louder.

"Do you mean to say that you are going to deprive the country of your
valuable services, bid farewell to your father and mother and sisters,
or perhaps take service in the Russian navy, should they ever launch any
fresh ships, and turn your sword against your countrymen, simply because
I refuse to let you go and make a fool of yourself by marrying this
little Russian girl? though my belief is that, even should I let you go,
as soon as her father finds out that you haven't a sixpence to bless
yourself with, he'll send you about your business with a flea in your
ear. Come, Tom, think the matter over; you used to have some brains in
your head, and I hope you have not left them all behind you in the Sea
of Azov."

Still Tom was obstinate; he really had a midshipman-like amount of
attachment for Feodorowna, but though it was very disinterested and
sincere and romantic, it was not the less foolish. Nothing Jack could
say would induce him to promise to give up all thoughts of her, and to
write a kind note pointing out the impossibility of their marrying, and
bidding her farewell.

"She mayn't see the impossibility of it," answered Tom; "her father is
the owner of thousands of acres, and country-houses, and serfs; and she
told me that all he wanted was to get gentlemanly, intelligent
sons-in-law, who could live in his houses and superintend the
cultivation of his estates."

"Well, well," said Jack, "that doesn't sound so badly; but still, you
have no right at your age to go and marry without our father's and
mother's sanction; and until you have got it I'll be no party to your
giving up the service and settling down for life in an out-of-the-way
corner of Russia. With regard to Higson, the case is very different; he
is twice your age, has very little prospect of promotion, and no friends
that I know of to give up; besides which, I am pretty certain that
nothing would induce him to take service in the Russian navy, with the
chance of being employed against England."

"I don't see that our cases are so very different," answered Tom; "and
you may put me in irons, and do what you like, but I'll not promise to
give up Feodorowna, nor write the cruel letter you propose, to bid her
farewell. There, you've got my answer, and I've