"You can see that there's nothing in it," replied my uncle. "That's nice!" she exclaimed, laughing and holding her hand out to him a second time. "Another of your eccentricities, I suppose!" "Not in the least, my dear; Andre here can tell you that I positively passed for a dead man, and that he went into mourning for me. He has even entered into the possession of my property as my heir." "It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good," she answered; "but how was it that they put you in the grave by mistake? I am curious to know." "I was in Abyssinia." "Close by, is it?" asked she, interrupting him. "Yes," continued my uncle. "A friend who was travelling with me, stayed behind at a place on our way, while I went forward, and he managed to die in such a stupid and ill-timed manner that, as my baggage was with him, it was from my papers that his certificate of death was made out. It was only on my return here, five months later, that I learnt that I had been taken for dead. You see what a simple story it is." "Well, of course," said my aunt, "such things are quite a common occurrence! That will teach you the result of not taking me with you on your travels. Was it also on account of this trip in Abyssinia that I have not seen you for two years? Oh stop, my dear nephew!" she added in an engaging tone, "a family scene is an instructive event; it forms----. Go on, captain, answer me." "Two years?" replied my uncle. "Is it really two years?" "Consult your log-books, if they have not been buried with your friend." "Ah! forgive me, dear Eudoxia, I have had during all this time most important business." "Yes," continued my aunt, "we all know what important business you have; I've heard some fine accounts of you. Do you know what Lord Clifden told me at St. Petersburg three months ago, while complimenting me upon my widow's mourning, which, by the way, suited me extremely well? He told me that during your lifetime you had been a bigamist." "What a likely story!" exclaimed my uncle, boldly. "He assured me that he had seen you at Madras with a Spanish woman, you old traitor! She was young and pretty, and passed openly by the name of Senora Barbassou. It was surely not worth while making me elope with you, in order that you might treat me in this fashion!" "Lord Clifden told you a story, my dear, and a very silly story too. I hope you did not believe a word of it?" "Upon my word, you are such an eccentric character, you know!" she answered, with a laugh. "And what have you been doing yourself?" continued my uncle, whose coolness had not deserted him for an instant; "where have you been?"