The Doctor laughed, and taking her hand, kissed it gallantly; by this time we had all turned round, and were coming in. "Now, Doctor," said the Major, "If you have done flirting with Miss Thornton, look at this snake." "A noble beast, indeed," said the Doctor. "Friend," he added to Lee, "if you don't want him, I will take him off your hands for a sum of money. He shall be pickled, as I live." "He is very venomous, sir," said Lee. "The blacks eat 'em, it's true, but they always cut the head off first. I'd take the head off, sir, before I ventured to taste him." We all laughed at Lee's supposing that the Doctor meant to make a meal of the deadly serpent, and Lee laughed as loudly as anybody. "You see, sir," he said, "I've always heard that you French gents ate frogs, so I didn't know as snakes would come amiss." "Pray, don't take me for a Frenchman, my good lad," said the Doctor; "and as for frogs, they are as good as chickens." "Well, I've eaten guaners myself," said Lee, "though I can't say much for them. They're uglier than snakes any way." Lee was made to sit down and take a glass of grog. So, very shortly, the conversation flowed on into its old channel, and, after spending a long and pleasant evening, we all went to bed. James and I slept in the same room; and, when we were going to bed, I said,-- "James, if that fellow were to die, there would be a chance for you yet." "With regard to what?" he asked. "You know well enough, you old humbug," I said; "with regard to Mary Hawker,--NEE Thornton!" "I doubt it, my lad," he said. "I very much doubt it indeed; and, perhaps, you have heard that there must be two parties to a bargain, so that even if she were willing to take me, I very much doubt if I would ask her." "No one could blame you for that," I said, "after what has happened. There are but few men who would like to marry the widow of a coiner." "You mistake me, Jeff. You mistake me altogether," he answered, walking up and down the room, with one boot off. "That would make but little difference to me. I've no relations to sing out about a mesalliance, you know. No, my dear old fellow, not that; but--Jeff, Jeff! You are the dearest friend I have in the world." "Jim, my boy," I answered, "I love you like a brother. What is it?" "I have no secrets from you, Jeff," he said; "so I don't mind telling you." Another hesitation! I grew rather anxious. "What the deuce is coming?" I thought. "What can she have been up to? Go on, old fellow," I added aloud; "let's hear all about it." He stood at the end of the room, looking rather sheepish. "Why, the fact is, old fellow, that I begin to suspect that I have outlived any little attachment I had in that quarter. I've been staying in the house two months with her, you see; and, in fact!--in fact!"--here he brought up short again.