"We've both been mercifully preserved, Sam, and the best thing we can do is to drink to our noble selves and be more careful for the future." Mr.Wilks obeyed, and again thanking him warmly for his invaluable services sat down to compile a few facts about his newly acquired wife, warranted to stand the severest cross-examination which might be brought to bear upon them, a task interspersed with malicious reminiscences of Mrs.Silk's attacks on his liberty.

He also insisted on giving up his bed to Nugent for the night.
"I suppose," he said later on, as Mr.Nugent, after a faint objection or two, took his candle--"I suppose this yarn about my being married will get about ?" "I suppose so," said Nugent, yawning, as he paused with his foot on the stair.

"What about it ?" "Nothing," said Mr.Wilks, in a somewhat dissatisfied voice.

"Nothing." "What about it ?" repeated Mr.Nugent, sternly.
"Nothing, sir," said Mr.Wilks, with an insufferable simper.

"Nothing, only it'll make things a little hit slow for me, that's all." Mr.Nugent eyed him for a space in speechless amazement, and then, with a few strong remarks on ingratitude and senile vanity, mounted the winding little stairs and went to bed..