“Well, as to that, General,” said the man, “it seems to me the less that's said the better. Take my advice and get the lady something to drink—anything that teetotallers won't allow is safe to be wholesome.”
“Come to my house,” said the commodore. “Miss Gerald will find everything there.”
“You bet you'll find something in the spirituous way at the admiral's quarters, miss,” remarked the stranger, as Daireen was helped into the vehicle. “No, thank you, General, I'll walk to the hotel where I put up.”
“Pray let me call upon you before I leave,” said Colonel Gerald.
“Delighted to see you, General; if you come within the next two hours, I'll slip the tinsel off a bottle of Moët with you. Now, don't wait here. If you had got a pearly stream of salt water running down your spine you wouldn't wait; would they, miss? Aw revaw.”
CHAPTER XXXVI.
I shall, first asking your pardon thereunto, recount the occasion of my sudden and more strange return.
O limèd soul, that, struggling to be free,