Tom went into the whole story of the kind treatment he had received from the family of Colonel Paskiewich; “And you must know,” he continued, “that I fell in love with Miss Feodorowna, and promised to go back and marry her as soon as the war was over.”
“Really, Tom, I hope with the proviso that you should obtain the permission of Sir John,” remarked Jack.
“I don’t know about provisionally,” answered Tom; “I promised to go back and marry her as soon as peace was settled; and as you wouldn’t wish me to break my promise, I hope you will give me permission to do so at once.”
Jack burst into a loud fit of laughter.
“I’ll tell you what, Tom, I am much more likely to marry you to the gunner’s daughter,” he answered.
“That is very cruel treatment,” exclaimed Tom; “you’ll drive me to quit the service and expatriate myself for ever.”
Jack only laughed louder.
“Do you mean to say that you are going to deprive the country of your valuable services, bid farewell to your father and mother and sisters, or perhaps take service in the Russian navy, should they ever launch any fresh ships, and turn your sword against your countrymen, simply because I refuse to let you go and make a fool of yourself by marrying this little Russian girl? though my belief is that, even should I let you go, as soon as her father finds out that you haven’t a sixpence to bless yourself with, he’ll send you about your business with a flea in your ear. Come, Tom, think the matter over; you used to have some brains in your head, and I hope you have not left them all behind you in the Sea of Azov.”
Still Tom was obstinate; he really had a midshipman-like amount of attachment for Feodorowna, but though it was very disinterested and sincere and romantic, it was not the less foolish. Nothing Jack could say would induce him to promise to give up all thoughts of her, and to write a kind note pointing out the impossibility of their marrying, and bidding her farewell.
“She mayn’t see the impossibility of it,” answered Tom; “her father is the owner of thousands of acres, and country-houses, and serfs; and she told me that all he wanted was to get gentlemanly, intelligent sons-in-law, who could live in his houses and superintend the cultivation of his estates.”