“I’ve got news,” he said, hoarsely.

“News?” said the unfortunate Mr. Chalk, faintly.

“Ah!” said Brisket, nodding.  “News!  I’ve got her at last.”

Mrs. Chalk started.

“I’ve got her,” continued Captain Brisket, with an air of great enjoyment;” and a fine job I had of it, I can tell you.  Old Todd said he couldn’t bear parting with her.  Once or twice I thought he meant it.”

Mr. Chalk made a desperate effort to catch his eye, but in vain.  It was fixed in reminiscent joy on the ceiling.

“We haggled about her for days,” continued Brisket;” but at last I won.  The Fair Emily is yours, sir.”

“The fair who?” cried Mrs. Chalk, in a terrible voice.  “Emily who?  Emily what?”

Captain Brisket turned and regarded her in amazement.

“Emily who?” repeated Mrs. Chalk.

“Why, it’s—­” began Brisket.

“H’sh!” said Mr. Chalk, desperately.  “It’s a secret.”

“It’s a secret,” said Captain Brisket, nodding calmly at Mrs. Chalk.

Wrath and astonishment held her for the moment breathless.  Mr. Chalk, caught between his wife and Captain Bowers, fortified himself with memories of the early martyrs and gave another warning glance at Brisket.  For nearly two minutes that undaunted mariner met the gaze of Mrs. Chalk without flinching.

“A—­a secret?” gasped the indignant woman at last, as she turned to her husband.  “You sit there and dare to tell me that?”

“It isn’t my secret,” said Mr. Chalk,"else I should tell you at once.”

“It isn’t his secret,” said the complaisant Brisket.

Mrs. Chalk controlled herself by a great effort and, turning to Captain Brisket, addressed him almost calmly.  “Was it Emily that came whistling over the garden-wall the other night?” she inquired.

“Whis—–?” said the hapless Brisket, making a noble effort.  He finished the word with a cough and gazed with protruding eyes at Mr. Chalk.  The appearance of that gentleman sobered him at once.

“No,” he said, slowly.

“How do you know?” inquired Mrs. Chalk.

“Because she can’t whistle,” replied Captain Brisket, feeling his way carefully.  “And what’s more, she wouldn’t if she could.  She’s been too well brought up for that.”

He gave a cunning smile at Mr. Chalk, to which that gentleman, having decided at all hazards to keep the secret from Captain Bowers, made a ghastly response, and nodded to him to proceed.

“What’s she got to do with my husband?” demanded Mrs. Chalk, her voice rising despite herself.

“I’m coming to that,” said Brisket, thoughtfully, as he gazed at the floor in all the agonies of composition; “Mr. Chalk is trying to get her a new place.”

“New place?” said Mrs. Chalk, in a choking voice.

Captain Brisket nodded.  “She ain’t happy where she is,” he explained, “and Mr. Chalk—­out o’ pure good-nature and kindness of heart—­is trying to get her another, and I honour him for it.”