Conway stared. 'How the devil should you know it?' he roared. 'It's scarcely known to myself yet!'
'We met the butcher, who had called for orders,' said Burgoyne. 'You'll never get a servant to keep a secret. And it's nigh halfway over the town already.'
'Commander,' exclaimed old Leaddropper in a broken voice, 'I am truly sorry for you.'
'A plague on all sorrow!' burst out Conway, breathing short.
'But it's the business of all parents to get their daughters married,' continued the pilot; 'and you weren't going to find soundings for her in that way here. She's done for herself; and since she's done it, why,' cried he, with a rollicking air, 'let us take the earliest occasion to drink their healths!'
'Leaddropper,' said Burgoyne, who saw that Conway could scarcely contain his rage, 'I don't think the commander rightly relishes this talk just now. Can I be of any service to you?' he exclaimed, frankly addressing Conway.
'Thanks. I am an old man, and this blow has somewhat stunned me. She was my only child, and I am a widower. I should wish for prudent counsel. Although they be married, I should like to know whether she's not to be torn from the beggar's embraces, and brought back here and locked up clear of him.'
His companions gravely shook their heads.
'Have you any idea where she's gone to?' asked the pilot.
'To sea in the beggar's brig; that's my opinion.'