Cosway matched him in generosity. "No," he answered. "It was I who brought you here; and I who led you into these infernal expenses. I ought to pay the penalty--and I will." Before Stone could remonstrate, the five minutes expired. Punctual Mrs. Pounce appeared again in the doorway. "Well?" she inquired, "which is it to be--Cosway, or Stone?" Cosway advanced as reckless as ever, and offered his arm. "Now then, Fatsides," he said, "come and be married!" In five-and-twenty minutes more, Mrs. Pounce had become Mrs. Cosway; and the two officers were on their way to the ship. _The Second Epoch in Mr. Cosway's Life._ Four years elapsed before the _Albicore_ returned to the port from which she had sailed. In that interval, the death of Cosway's parents had taken place. The lawyer who had managed his affairs, during his absence from England, wrote to inform him that his inheritance from his late father's "estate" was eight hundred a year. His mother only possessed a life interest in her fortune; she had left her jewels to her son, and that was all. Cosway's experience of the life of a naval officer on foreign stations (without political influence to hasten his promotion) had thoroughly disappointed him. He decided on retiring from the service when the ship was "paid off." In the meantime, to the astonishment of his comrades, he seemed to be in no hurry to make use of the leave granted him to go on shore. The faithful Stone was the only man on board who knew that he was afraid of meeting his "wife." This good friend volunteered to go to the inn, and make the necessary investigation with all needful prudence. "Four years is a long time, at _her_ age," he said. "Many things may happen in four years." An hour later, Stone returned to the ship, and sent a written message on board, addressed to his brother-officer, in these words: "Pack up your things at once, and join me on shore." "What news?" asked the anxious husband. Stone looked significantly at the idlers on the landing-place. "Wait," he said, "till we are by ourselves." "Where are we going?" "To the railway station." They got into an empty carriage; and Stone at once relieved his friend of all further suspense. "Nobody is acquainted with the secret of your marriage, but our two selves," he began quietly. "I don't think, Cosway, you need go into mourning." "You don't mean to say she's dead!"