“ ‘Don’t interrupt me,’ said the old gentleman. ‘Of you, Tom, I entertain a very different opinion; for I well know that if you once settled yourself in a public-house, you would never leave it, as long as there was anything to drink within its walls.’

“ ‘I am very much obliged to you for your good opinion, Sir,’ said Tom Smart.

“ ‘Therefore,’ resumed the old gentleman, in a dictatorial tone, ‘you shall have her, and he shall not.’

“ ‘What is to prevent it?’ said Tom Smart eagerly.

“ ‘This disclosure,’ replied the old gentleman; ‘he is already married.’

“ ‘How can I prove it?’ said Tom, starting half out of bed.

“The old gentleman untucked his arm from his side, and having pointed to one of the oaken presses, immediately replaced it, in its old position.