"Is here--in Paris--and miserable--most miserable!--on your account."

Every particle of monikinity that was left in my system instantly gave
way to a flood of human sensations.

"Let me fly to her, dear sir--a moment is an age!"

"Not just yet, my boy. We have much to say to each other, nor is she in
this hotel. To-morrow, when both are better prepared, you shall meet."

"Add, never to separate, sir, and I will be patient as a lamb."

"Never to separate, I believe it will be better to say."

I hugged my venerable guardian, and found a delicious relief from a most
oppressive burden of sensations, in a flow of tears,

Dr. Etherington soon led me into a calmer tone of mind. In the course
of the day, many matters were discussed and settled. I was told that
Captain Poke had been a good nurse, though in a sealing fashion; and
that the least I could do was to send him back to Stunin'tun, free of
cost. This was agreed to, and the worthy but dogmatical mariner was
promised the means of fitting out a new "Debby and Dolly."

"These philosophers had better be presented to some academy," observed
the doctor, smiling, as he pointed to the family of amiable strangers,
"being already F. U. D. G. E.'s and H. O. A. X.'s. Mr. Reasono, in
particular, is unfit for ordinary society."

"Do with them as you please, my more than father. Let the poor animals,
however, be kept from physical suffering."

"Attention shall be paid to all their wants, both physical and moral."

"And in a day or two, we shall proceed to the rectory?"

"The day after to-morrow, if you have strength."

"And to-morrow?"

"Anna will see you."

"And the next day?"

"Nay, not quite so soon, Jack; but the moment we think you perfectly
restored, she shall share your fortunes for the remainder of your common
probation."

CHAPTER XXX. EXPLANATIONS--A LEAVE-TAKING--LOVE--CONFESSIONS, BUT NO
PENITENCE.

A night of sweet repose left me refreshed, and with a pulse that denoted
less agitation than on the preceding day. I awoke early, had a bath, and
sent for Captain Poke to take his coffee with me, before we parted;
for it had been settled, the previous evening, that he was to proceed
towards Stunin'tun forthwith. My old messmate, colleague, co-adventurer,
and fellow-traveller, was not slow in obeying the summons. I confess his
presence was a comfort to me, for I did not like looking at objects that
had been so inexplicably replaced before my eyes, un