"I have come, Annette, to ask you, to beg you, entreat--before a third person--laughing, Philip?" "The wrong side of my mouth, my friend. And I'll tell you what: we're in for heavy seas, and I 'm not sorry you've taken the house on the beach off my hands." "Pray, Mr. Tinman, speak at once, if you please, and I will do my best. Papa vexes you." "No, no," replied Tinman. He renewed his commencement. Van Diemen interrupted him again. "Hang your power over me, as you call it. Eh, old Mart? I'm a Deserter. I'll pay a thousand pounds to the British army, whether they punish me or not. March me off tomorrow!" "Papa, you are unjust, unkind." Annette turned to him in tears. "No, no," said Tinman, "I do not feel it. Your father has misunderstood me, Annette." "I am sure he has," she said fervently. "And, Mr. Tinman, I will faithfully promise that so long as you are good to my dear father, I will not be untrue to my engagement, only do not wish me to name any day. We shall be such very good dear friends if you consent to this. Will you?" Pausing for a space, the enamoured man unrolled his voice in lamentation: "Oh! Annette, how long will you keep me?" "There; you'll set her crying!" said Van Diemen. "Now you can run upstairs, Netty. By jingo! Mart Tinman, you've got a bass voice for love affairs." "Annette," Tinman called to her, and made her turn round as she was retiring. "I must know the day before the end of winter. Please. In kind consideration. My arrangements demand it." "Do let the girl go," said Van Diemen. "Dine with me tonight and I'll give you a wine to brisk your spirits, old boy" "Thank you. When I have ordered dinner at home, I----and my wine agrees with ME," Tinman replied. "I doubt it." "You shall not provoke me, Philip." They parted stiffly. Mrs. Cavely had unpleasant domestic news to communicate to her brother, in return for his tale of affliction and wrath. It concerned the ungrateful conduct of their little housemaid Jane, who, as Mrs. Cavely said, "egged on by that woman Crickledon," had been hinting at an advance of wages. "She didn't dare speak, but I saw what was in her when she broke a plate, and wouldn't say she was sorry. I know she goes to Crickledon and talks us over. She's a willing worker, but she has no heart."