our, and Jack paid his
respects to his old friend, who was very glad to see him. The Governor
sent his own barge for Mrs Easy, and she was installed in the state
apartments, which were acknowledged to be very comfortable. Our hero
had, as usual, a long story to tell the Governor, and the Governor
listened to it very attentively, probably because he thought it would be
the last, which opportunity Jack employed to narrate the unfortunate end
of his father.

"I would not have said so at the time, Mr Easy, but now the wound is
healed, I tell you that it is the best thing that could have happened--
poor old gentleman! he was mad, indeed."

Our hero remained a fortnight at Malta, and then Signora Easy was
re-embarked, and once more the _Rebiera_ made sail.

"Fare you well, my lad; what I have seen of your brothers-in-law pleases
me much; and as for your wife, it will be your own fault if she is not
all that you would wish. If ever I come to England again, I will pay my
first visit to Forest Hill. God bless you!"

But Sir Thomas never did go back to England, and this was their final
adieu. Once more the _Rebiera_ pursued her course, stopped a day or two
at Gibraltar, shared the proceeds of the captured gun-boat, and then
made sail for England, where she arrived without adventure or accident
in three weeks.

Thus ended the last cruise of Mr Midshipman Easy. As soon as their
quarantine at the Mother-bank was over, they disembarked, and found Dr
Middleton and Mr Hanson waiting for them at the George Hotel. Our hero
had scarcely time to introduce his wife, when the waiter said that a
lady wished to speak to him. She did not wait to know if Jack was
visible, but forced her way past him. Jack looked at her large
proportions, and decided at once that it must be Mrs Oxbelly, in which
conjecture he was right.

"Pray, sir, what do you mean by carrying off my husband in that way?"
exclaimed the lady, red with anger.

"God forbid that I should have to carry your husband, Mrs Oxbelly; he
is rather too heavy."

"Yes, sir, but it's little better than kidnapping, and there's a law for
kidnapping children at all events. I shall send my lawyer to you, that
you may depend upon."

"You hardly can consider your husband as a child, Mrs Oxbelly," replied
Jack, laughing.

"Very well, sir, we shall see. Pray, where is he now?"

"He is on board, Mrs Oxbelly, and will be delighted to see you."

"I'm not quite so sure of that."