The pair appeared before us fondling ineffably next day, neither one of them capable of seeing that our domestic peace at the Grange was unseated.  ’We ’re the two wretchedest creatures alive; haven’t any of ye to spare a bit of sympathy for us?’ Julia began.  ’We ’re like on a pitchfork.  There’s William’s duty to his country, and there ’s his affection for me, and they won’t go together, because Government, which is that horrid Admiralty, fears pitching and tossing for post-captains’ wives.  And William away, I ’m distracted, and the Admiralty’s hair’s on end if he stops.  And, ’deed, Miss Beltham, I’m not more than married to just half a husband.’

The captain echoed her, ’Half! but happy enough for twenty whole ones, if you’ll be satisfied, my duck.’

Julia piteously entreated me, for my future wife’s sake, not to take service under Government.  As for the Admiralty, she said, it had no characteristic but the abominable one, that it hated a woman.  The squire laid two or three moderately coarse traps for the voluble frank creature, which she evaded with surprising neatness, showing herself more awake than one would have imagined her.  Janet and I fancied she must have come with the intention to act uxorious husband and Irish wife for the distinct purpose of diverting the squire’s wrath from me, for he greatly delighted in the sight of merry wedded pairs.  But they were as simple as possible in their display of happiness.

It chanced that they came opportunely.  My bankers’ book had been the theme all the morning, and an astonishing one to me equally with my grandfather:  Since our arrival in England, my father had drawn nine thousand pounds.  The sums expended during our absence on the Continent reached the perplexing figures of forty-eight thousand.  I knew it too likely, besides, that all debts were not paid.  Self—­self—­self drew for thousands at a time; sometimes, as the squire’s convulsive forefinger indicated, for many thousands within a week.  It was incomprehensible to him until I, driven at bay by questions and insults, and perceiving that concealment could not long be practised, made a virtue of the situation by telling him (what he in fact must have seen) that my father possessed a cheque-book as well as I, and likewise drew upon the account.  We had required the money; it was mine, and I had sold out Bank Stock and Consols,—­which gave very poor interest, I remarked cursorily-and had kept the money at my bankers’, to draw upon according to our necessities.  I pitied the old man while speaking.  His face was livid; language died from his lips.  He asked to have little things explained to him—­the two cheque-books, for instance,—­and what I thought of doing when this money was all gone:  for he supposed I did not expect the same amount to hand every two years; unless, he added, I had given him no more than a couple of years’ lease of life when I started for my tour.  ’Then the money’s gone!’ he summed up; and this was the signal for redemanding explanations.  Had he not treated me fairly and frankly in handing over my own to me on the day of my majority?  Yes.