“Ah, very true, I forgot that, corporal.  Well, then, you may go on shore; but do not stop long, for the people are much inclined to mutiny, and I cannot do without you.”

The corporal quitted the cabin and was put on shore by two of the men in the small boat.  He hastened up to the widow’s house, and was received with open arms.  Seated on the squab sofa, with a bottle of beer on the table, and five others all ready at the stove, the widow’s smiles beaming on him, who could be more happy than the Corporal Van Spitter?  The blinds were up at the windows, the front door fast to prevent intrusion, and then the widow and he entered into a long colloquy, interrupted occasionally by little amorous dallyings, which reminded you of the wooings of a male and female elephant.

We shall give the substance of the conversation.  The widow expressed her indignation against Vanslyperken, and her resolution not to be married until he was hanged.  The corporal immediately became an interested party, and vowed that he would assist all in his power.  He narrated all that had passed since he had left the widow’s, and the supernatural appearance of the dog after he had thrown it overboard.  He then pointed out that it was necessary that Vanslyperken should not only be blinded as to the state of matters between them, but that, to entrap him still more, the widow should, if possible, make friends with him.  To this the widow unwillingly consented; but as the corporal pointed out that that was the only chance of her occasionally seeing him, and that by his pretending to be in love with Babette, Vanslyperken might be deceived completely, she did consent; the more so, that the greater would be his disappointment at the end, the more complete would be her vengeance.  Their plans being arranged, it was then debated whether it would not be better to send some message on board to Vanslyperken, and it was agreed that it should be taken by the corporal.  At last all was arranged, the six bottles of beer were finished, and the corporal having been permitted to imprint as many hearty smacks upon the widow’s thick and juicy lips, he returned on board.

“Come on board, Mynheer Vanslyperken,” said the corporal, entering the cabin.

“Very well, corporal; did you do all you wanted? for we sail again at daylight.”

“Yes, mynheer, and I see somebody I never see before.”

“Who was that, corporal?” replied Vanslyperken, for he had been feasting upon the recollections of the fair Portsmouth widow, and was in a very good humour.

“One fine Frau, Mynheer Vanslyperken—­very fine Frau.  Babette came up to me in the street.”

“Oh, Babette—­well, what did she say?”

Hereupon the corporal, as agreed with the widow, entered into a long explanation, stating his Babette had told him that her mistress was very much surprised that Mr Vanslyperken had passed close to the door, and had never come in to call upon her; that her mistress had been quite satisfied with Mr Vanslyperken’s letter, and would wish to see him again; and that he, the corporal, had told Babette the dog had been destroyed by him, Mr Vanslyperken, and he hoped he had done right in saying so.