"Nor I," said the lady, snapping her fingers, "I don't value him that. The poor mean-spirited wretch—he's not to be compared to you, captain."
"I should think not, my love. Have you got any change in your pocket?"
"Yes. I—I-think I have about seven shillings or so."
"That will do. Much obliged to you, madam—I mean, my dear Mrs. B. Ah, if you would but smother Blisset, so that I might have the joy of making you Mrs. Captain Coggan, what a happy man I should be."
Todd tapped at the door.
"What was that?" cried the captain in evident alarm; "Is it Blisset?"
"No, captain—oh, no; I should like to see him interrupt me, indeed. A pretty thing that I cannot do what I like in the house I keep. Come in."
Todd just opened the door far enough to introduce his hideous head; and having done so, stared at the pair with such a selection of frightful physiognomical changes, that they both sat transfixed with horror. At length Todd broke the silence by saying—
"He's frightfully nervous."
"What?—what?—who?" gasped the captain.