"For Heaven's sake, hold your tongue," said I, "until I give you permission to let it out, or I am ruined for life."
"Well, well, Jack, mum's the word," said my father.
I then resumed my disguise and prepared to leave the inn.
"Why, what the devil are you going to be up to now?"
"Mum's the word," said I. "You shall know all when I return. Good-bye, father," and off I started.
I busied myself a good deal about getting everything in order for the wedding, and returned to H——, where without further bother I was married at the village church.
Fearful that if I threw off my disguise before the wedding that something or other, I could not tell what or from what quarter, would mar all and prevent the marriage just at the last moment, after having been so successful up to this time, this feeling, or presentiment of harm, vague as it was, induced me to keep on my disguise all through the ceremony, but when it came to signing my name in the register, I signed my real name—"John Hearty."
This created some sensation.
The aunt wanted me to explain myself. However, we hurried back to the aunt's house, where we at once threw off my disguise, explained all, and craved pardon for the deception I had practised upon her.
At first the aunt seemed a little cold. She was hurt at the deception being carried on so long.