"Ah!--ay!--oh, I understand! Another glass, Mr. Titmouse," said Gammon, pouring himself out some more wine; and observing, while Titmouse followed his example, that there was an unsteadiness in his motions of a very different description from that which he had exhibited at the commencement of the evening--at the same time wondering what the deuce they should do with him after the _tenth_ of August. "You see, _I_ have the utmost confidence in you, and had so from the first happy moment when we met; but Mr. Quirk is rather sus--In short to prevent misunderstanding (as he says,) Mr. Quirk is anxious that you should give a _written_ promise." (Titmouse looked eagerly about for writing materials.) "No, not now, but in a day or two's time. I confess, my dear Mr. Titmouse, if _I_ might have decided on the matter, I should have been satisfied with your verbal promise; but I must say, Mr. Quirk's gray hairs seem to have made him quite--eh! you understand? Don't you think so, Mr. Titmouse?" "To be sure! 'pon my honor, Mr. Gammon!" replied Titmouse; not very distinctly understanding, however, what he was so energetically assenting to. "I dare say you wonder why we wish you to stop a few months longer at your present hiding-place at Tag-rag's?" "_Can't_, possibly!--after the tenth of next month, sir," replied Titmouse, eagerly. "But as soon as we begin to fire off our guns against the enemy--Lord, my dear sir, if they could only find out, you know, where to get at you--you would never live to enjoy your ten thousand a-year! They'd either poison or kidnap you--get you out of the way, unless you keep out of _their_ way: and if you will but consent to keep snug at Tag-rag's for a while, who'd suspect where you was? We could easily arrange with your friend Tag-rag that you should"---- "My stars! I'd give something to hear you tell Tag-rag--why, I wonder what he'll do!" "Make you very comfortable, and let you have your own way in everything--that you may rely upon!" "Go to the play, for instance, whenever I want, and do all that sort of thing?"