ry with me--"

"Well?" exclaimed her ladyship, who appeared alarmed.

"Nothing but the most important and imperative reasons could induce me
to ask the question" (her ladyship gasped for breath, and could not
speak), I stammered, but at last I brought it out. "What has become
of--of--of the sweet pledge of your love, Lady Maelstrom?"

Her ladyship coloured up with rage, raised up her clenched hand, and
then fell back in violent hysterics.

Chapter XXXV

I repair the damage, and make things worse--Plot and
counterplot--Tim gains a watch by setting watch upon his tongue.

I hardly knew how to act--if I called the servants, my interview would
be at an end, and I was resolved to find out the truth--for the same
reason, I did not like to ring for water. Some vases with flowers were
on the table; I took out the flowers, and threw the water in her face,
but they had been in the water some time, and had discoloured it green.
Her ladyship's dress was a high silk gown, of a bright slate colour, and
was immediately spoiled; but this was no time to stand upon trifles. I
seized hold of a glass bottle, fancying, in my hurry, it was _eau de
cologne_, or some essence, and poured a little into her mouth;
unfortunately, it was a bottle of marking ink, which her ladyship, who
was very economical, had on the table in disguise. I perceived my
error, and had recourse to another vase of flowers, pouring a large
quantity of the green water down her throat. Whether the unusual
remedies had an effect or not, I cannot tell, but her ladyship gradually
revived, and, as she leant back on the sofa, sobbing, every now and
then, convulsively, I poured into her ear a thousand apologies, until I
thought she was composed enough to listen to me.

"Your ladyship's maternal feelings," said I.

"It's all a calumny! a base lie, sir!" shrieked she.

"Nay, nay, why be ashamed of a youthful passion; why deny what was in
itself creditable to your unsophisticated mind. Does not your heart,
even now, yearn to embrace your son--will not you bless me, if I bring
him to your feet--will not you bless your son, and receive him with
delight?"

"It was a girl," screamed her ladyship, forgetting herself, and again
falling into hysterics.

"A girl!" replied I, "then I have lost my time, and it is no use my
remaining here."

Mortified at the intelligence which overthrew my hopes and castle
buildings, I seized my hat, descended the stairs, and