“Oh, that's all right,” he says. “I'm fond enough of the gell, but I shan't clamour for a tombstone with wiolets, even if she ain't ever Mrs. Capt'n Kit. Business is business; and I ain't going to queer 'er pitch for 'er.” I've often wondered what she'd a' said, if he'd up and put the case to her plain, for she was a good sort; but, naturally enough, her head was a bit swelled, and she'd read so much rot about herself in the papers that she'd got at last to half believe some of it. The thought of her connection with the well-known judge seemed to hamper her at times, and she wasn't quite so chummy with “Kipper” as used to be the case in the Mile-End Road days, and he wasn't the sort as is slow to see a thing. One day when he was having lunch by himself, and I was waiting on him, he says, raising his glass to his lips, “Well, 'Enery, here's luck to yer! I won't be seeing you agen for some time.” “Oh,” I says. “What's up now?” “I am,” he says, “or rather my time is. I'm off to Africa.” “Oh,” I says, “and what about--” “That's all right,” he interrupts. “I've fixed up that--a treat. Truth, that's why I'm going.” I thought at first he meant she was going with him. “No,” he says, “she's going to be the Duchess of Ridingshire with the kind consent o' the kid I spoke about. If not, she'll be the Marchioness of Appleford. 'E's doing the square thing. There's going to be a quiet marriage to-morrow at the Registry Office, and then I'm off.” “What need for you to go?” I says. “No need,” he says; “it's a fancy o' mine. You see, me gone, there's nothing to 'amper 'er--nothing to interfere with 'er settling down as a quiet, respectable toff. With a 'alf-brother, who's always got to be spry with some fake about 'is lineage and 'is ancestral estates, and who drops 'is 'h's,' complications are sooner or later bound to a-rise. Me out of it--everything's simple. Savey?” Well, that's just how it happened. Of course, there was a big row when the family heard of it, and a smart lawyer was put up to try and undo the thing. No expense was spared, you bet; but it was all no go. Nothing could be found out against her. She just sat tight and said nothing. So the thing had to stand. They went and lived quietly in the country and abroad for a year or two, and then folks forgot a bit, and they came back to London. I often used to see her name in print, and then the papers always said as how she was charming and graceful and beautiful, so I suppose the family had made up its mind to get used to her. One evening in she comes to the Savoy. My wife put me up to getting that job, and a good job it is, mind you, when you know your way about. I'd never have had the cheek to try for it, if it hadn't been for the missis. She's a clever one--she is. I did a good day's work when I married her.