had this opportunity of explaining ourselves--"

"That's quite sufficient, Commodore. I ask for nothing beyond your
simple assurance that nothing offensive was intended."

"I 'll be hanged if I ever suffered as much from thirst in all my life.
I was eighteen days on a gill of water a day in the tropics, and didn't
feel it worse than this. I must drink some of that stuff, if I die for
it. Which is the least nauseous?"

"I think you'll find the Vichy pleasant; there is a little fixed air in
it, too."

"I wish there was a little cognac in it. Ugh! it's detestable! Let's try
the other. Worse! I vow and declare--worse! Well, Maitland, whatever be
your skill in other matters, I 'll be shot if I 'll back you for your
taste in liquors."

Maitland smiled, and was silent.

"I shall have a fever--I know I shall--if I don't take something.
There's a singing in my head now like a chime of bells, and the back of
my throat feels like a coal-bunker in one of those vile steamers. How
you stand it I don't know; but to be sure you 've not been talking as
I have." The old Commodore rose, but when he reached the door, seemed
suddenly to have remembered something; for he placed his hand to his
forehead, and said, "What a brain I have! here was I walking away
without ever so much as saying one word about it."

"Could we defer it till to-morrow, my dear Commodore?" said Maitland,
coaxingly. "I have not the slightest notion what it is, but surely we
could talk it over after breakfast."

"But you 'll be off by that time. Beck said that there would be no use
starting later than seven o'clock."

"Off! and where to?"

"To the Burnside,--to the widow Butler's,--where else! You heard it all
arranged at dinner, didn't you?"

"I heard something suggested laughingly and lightly, but nothing
serious, far less settled positively."

"Will you please to tell me, sir, how much of your life is serious, and
how much is to be accepted as levity? for I suppose the inquiry I have
to make of you amounts just to that, and no more."

"Commodore Graham, it would distress me much if I were to misunderstand
you once again to-night, and you will oblige me deeply if you will put
any question you expect me to answer in its very simplest form."

"That I will, sir; that I will! Now then, what are your intentions?"

"What are my intentions?"

"Yes, sir,--exactly so; what are your intentions?"

"I declare I have so many, on such varied subjects, and of su