Come along, Jack." The admiral walked into the house, and as he went, Charles Holland said to him,-- "How came you to know I was here, uncle ?" "Some fellow wrote me a despatch." "Indeed!" "Yes, saying at you was a going to marry some odd sort of fish as it wasn't at all the thing to introduce into the family." "Was--was a vampyre mentioned ?" "That's the very thing." "Hush, uncle--hush." "What for ?" "Do not, I implore, hint at such a thing before these kind friends of mine.

I will take an opportunity within the next hour of explaining all to you, and you shall form your own kind and generous judgement upon circumstances in which my honour and my happiness are so nearly concerned." "Gammon," said the admiral.
"What, uncle ?" "Oh, I know you want to palaver me into saying it's all right.

I suppose if my judgment and generosity don't like it, I shall be an old fool, and a cursed goose ?" "Now, uncle." "Now, _nevey_." "Well, well--no more at present.

We will talk over this at leisure.

You promise me to say nothing about it until you have heard my explanation, uncle ?" "Very good.