w. Indeed, Puddock, I _would_ not vex her. Poor old aunt--she has
been mighty kind to me--no one knows how kind. So I leave to-morrow.'

'Not to stay away!' exclaimed Puddock, much concerned.

'I don't know, dear Puddock. I know no more than the man in the moon
what her plans are. Lewis, you know, is ordered by the doctors to
Malaga; and Loftus--honest dog--I managed that trifle for him--goes with
him; and the poor old lady, I suppose, is in the vapours, and wants
me--and that's all. And Puddock, we must drink a bowl of punch
together--you and I--or something--anything--what you please.'

And so they sat some time longer, and grew very merry and friendly, and
a little bit pathetic in their several ways. And Puddock divulged his
secret but noble flame for Gertrude Chattesworth, and Devereux sang a
song or two, defying fortune, in his sweet, sad tenor; and the nymph who
skipt up and down stairs with the kettle grew sleepy at last; and Mrs.
Irons rebelled in her bed, and refused peremptorily to get up again, to
furnish the musical topers with rum and lemons, and Puddock, having
studied his watch--I'm bound to say with a slight hiccough and
supernatural solemnity--for about five minutes, satisfied himself it was
nearly one o'clock, and took an affecting, though soldier-like leave of
his comrade, who, however, lent him his arm down the stairs, which were
rather steep; and having with difficulty dissuaded him from walking into
the clock, the door of which was ajar, thought it his duty to see the
gallant little lieutenant home to his lodgings; and so in the morning
good little Puddock's head ached. He had gone to bed with his waistcoat
and leggings on--and his watch was missing and despaired of, till
discovered, together with a lemon, in the pocket of his surtout, hanging
against the wall; and a variety of other strange arrangements came to
light, with not one of which could Puddock connect himself.

Indeed, he was 'dithguthted' at his condition; and if upon the occasion
just described he had allowed himself to be somewhat 'intoxicated with
liquor,' I must aver that I do not recollect another instance in which
this worthy little gentleman suffered himself to be similarly overtaken.
Now and then a little 'flashy' he might be, but nothing more
serious--and rely upon it, this was no common virtue in those days.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

IN WHICH CAPTAIN DEVEREUX'S FIDDLE PLAYS A PRELUDE TO 'OVER THE HILLS
AND FAR AWAY.'

T