neither was there any thing to be
ashamed of. I trust Mr Simple and you will be very good friends. I
believe I mentioned his desire to join our mess."

"I am sure I shall be very happy in his company. This is a strange
place for me to live in, Mr Simple, after the society to which I have
been accustomed; but affection can make any sacrifice; and rather than
lose the company of my Trotter, who has been unfortunate in pecuniary
matters--"

"But, my dear," interrupted Mr Trotter, "is it not time to look after
our dinner?"

"Yes; I am going forward for it now. We have skewer pieces today Mr
Simple, will you excuse me?"--and then, with a great deal of flirtation
and laughing about her ankles, and requesting me, as a favour, to turn
my face away, Mrs Trotter ascended the ladder.

As the reader may wish to know what sort of looking personage she was, I
will take this opportunity to describe her. Her figure was very good,
and at one period of her life I thought her face must have been very
handsome; at the time I was introduced to her, it showed the ravages of
time or hardship very distinctly; in short, she might be termed a faded
beauty, flaunting in her dress, and not very clean in her person.

"Charming woman, Mrs Trotter, is she not, Mr Simple?" said the
master's mate; to which of course I immediately acquiesced. "Now, Mr
Simple," continued he, "there are a few arrangements which I had better
mention while Mrs Trotter is away, for she would be shocked at our
talking about such things. Of course, the style of living which we
indulge in is rather expensive. Mrs Trotter cannot dispense with her
tea and her other little comforts; at the same time I must put you to no
extra expense--I had rather be out of pocket myself. I propose that
during the time you mess with us, you shall only pay one guinea per
week; and, as for entrance money, why I think I must not charge you more
than a couple of guineas. Have you any money?"

"Yes," I replied, "I have three guineas and a half left."

"Well, then, give me the three guineas, and the half guinea you can
reserve for pocket-money. You must write to your friends immediately
for a further supply."

I handed him the money, which he put in his pocket. "Your chest,"
continued he, "you shall bring down here, for Mrs Trotter will, I am
sure, if I request it, not only keep it in order for you, but see that
your clothes are properly mended. She is a charming woman, Mrs
Trotte