are a fig for rank myself,
except as far as it may gratify her. So packing up my traps I joined my
ship, not allowing any one on board to know even that I was married. I
felt very sad, but I kept my affairs to myself, and tried to do my duty
to the best of my power. I went to India, and you may be sure I
collected all the most beautiful presents I could think of for my dear
wife. I picked up, too, a good share of prize-money, so that I felt I
might return home with a clear conscience, and the prospect of being
well received. I was not mistaken, for my wife was overjoyed at my
return, and would, I believe, have been so had I come back without a
single jewel or shawl for her, and without a guinea in my pocket. This
time I was able to leave a handsome sum of money with her, of which I
begged her acceptance, for you see I knew that if she died before me, I
had always my pension to fall back on, or Greenwich, and that I should
have ample for all my wants; and I felt a proud satisfaction in adding
to her comfort and enjoyment by every means in my power, for I doubt if
any other boatswain in the service can boast of having a baroness for
his wife."

"I should think not, Mr Johnson," said I. "But then, I do not think
that any other boatswain in the service deserves one so much as you."
He pulled up his shirt collar and looked highly pleased at this remark.

"You think so, Mr Merry? You are a young gentleman of discernment in
most matters, and I hope are so in this respect," he answered.
"However, when you see the Baroness, I think that you will confess that
a man must be worth something to be worthy of her."

Thus we talked on, and I fancy that our tongues were not silent for a
minute together during the whole journey.

The last stage we had four horses.

"I like to go home in style," observed Mr Johnson. "Not on my own
account, you'll understand, but because it pleases the Baroness, and
makes her neighbours suppose that her husband is a person of
consequence."

We darted along at a fine rate, and at length drew up at the door of a
very pretty villa in the neighbourhood of London, without having had to
drive through the city itself. We sat still, while Mr Johnson sprang
out, and we saw him through the windows cordially welcomed by a really
very handsome-looking lady of somewhat large proportions, whom we had no
doubt was the Baroness herself. In this conjecture we were right, and
Mr Johnson soon returning, int