He fell back on civil speeches; and these rather laboured ones, being himself rather discountenanced.
"It is extremely kind of you and Sir Charles to take me on trust like this," he began.

"Believe me I am very grateful.

Under ordinary circumstances I should never have dreamed of proposing myself.

But I am going out to India for the first time--sailing in the _Penang_ the day after to-morrow.

And, as I should be so near here at Southampton, it was, I own, a great temptation to ask if I might come for a night.