In all good faith I do believe That sons-in-law their wives deceive; So, seeing marriage is a snare, My daughter needs her mother’s care; And if this couple young be wise, Their life they’ll let me supervise. For I can show the wife the way To make the servants her obey, Nor fail the husband’s acts to see, And rob him of his midnight key, Improve his faults with frown and snub, Insist he should give up his club; And if he’s an obedient boy, His home will be a place of joy. Thus ruling husband, home, and wife, I will secure a home for life. “So you have decided upon Eastward Ho?” said Crispin, as Maurice enveloped himself in clouds of smoke. They were seated in the smoking-room by themselves, for the ladies had long since retired; and Caliphronas, unable to bear the fumes of nicotine, which, he averred, made his eyes sore and his head swim, had just gone off to bed. Thus, left to that sweetest hour of the night which is somewhere about the stroke of twelve P.M., the poet and his host had established themselves in two comfortable arm-chairs, and, each armed with a pipe, were incensing the Muse of Fancy, who is frequently invoked by such worship. But the talk of the two was anything but fanciful, as they were engaged in discussing their projected tour in Levantine waters. Maurice was rather glad Caliphronas retired so early, as he was anxious to have a quiet conversation with Crispin, and what better time or place could he have, than nearly midnight in the smoking-room, with the soothing weed, and the exhilarating whiskey diluted with soda, to stimulate the drowsy brain. It is wonderful how men at this mystic hour unbosom themselves the one to the other, and tell secrets which they certainly would not reveal in the daytime. Maurice knew this peculiarity of midnight confabulations, and perhaps thought that Crispin would take him into his confidence; but if he did think so he was disappointed, for Crispin kept his own counsel and held his tongue, save indeed to talk generally about things Maurice was well acquainted with. “So you have decided upon Eastward Ho?” said Crispin for the second time, finding that Maurice did not reply immediately, which negligence was due to the fact that he wished to speak to the poet about Eunice, and was doubtful of the wisdom of such a step. The second time of asking this question, however, aroused him from his musings, and he answered at once. “Yes. I had a conversation with the Rector this morning, and I have decided to travel abroad for a year or so.” “Do you mean a general tour of the world, or a special part?” “A special part. I am going to Greece.” “Oh! The mainlands or the islands?” “The latter.”