"'Ah, though!' said he, raising his voice to call me back, 'to return for an instant--there is one thing I must positively require, sir--which you will see, in the circumstances, to be unavoidable. As a mere simple cadet, observe, sir, there was nothing to be objected to in a slight passing acquaintance--but, especially in the--in short, equivocal--sir, I must request of you that you will on no account attempt to hold any communication with my daughter, Miss Hyde--beyond a mere bow, of course! 'Twill be disagreeable, I assure you. Indeed, I shall----' 'Sir,' said I, all the blood in my body going to my face, 'of all things in the world, _that_ is the very thing where your views and mine happen to square!' and I bowed. "The man's coolness disgusted me, sticking such a thing in my teeth, after just reckoning on my services with the very same breath--and all when it wasn't required, too! And by Heaven! thought I, had _she_ shown me favour, all the old nabobs in Christendom, and the whole world to boot, shouldn't hinder me from speaking to her! What I said apparently puzzled him, but he gave me a grand bow in his turn, and I had my hand on the door, when he said, 'I suppose, sir, as a naval officer, you have no objection to give me your name and rank. I forget what----' Here I remembered my mistake with the mate, and on the whole I saw I must stick by it till I was clear of the whole concern; as for _saying_ my name was Westwood, that I couldn't have done at the time for worlds; but I quietly handed him another card, meaning, of course, to give Westwood the cue as shortly as possible, for his own safety. The judge started on seeing the card, gave me one of his sharp glances, and made a sudden step towards me. 'Have you any relation in India, Mr Westwood?' said he, slowly, to which I gave only a nod. 'What is he, if I may inquire?' asked he again. 'A councillor or something, I believe,' said I, carelessly. '_Thomas_ Westwood?' said Sir Charles. 'Ah,' said I, wearied of the thing, and anxious to go. 'An uncle, probably, from the age?' he still put in. 'Exactly, that's it!' I said. 'Why--what!--why did you not mention this at first?' he broke out suddenly, coming close up; 'why, Councillor Westwood is my very oldest friend in India, my dear sir! This alters the matter. I should have welcomed a nephew of his in my house, to the utmost! Why, how strange, Mr Westwood, that the fact should emerge in this curious manner!' and with that he held out his hand. 'Of course,' said he, 'no such restriction as I mentioned could for a moment apply to a nephew of Councillor Westwood!'