chew the steeple-house--I receive the
blessed crumbs of the Word that fall from the lips of that light of
salvation, the Reverend Mr Obadiah Longspinner."

"A holy and a good man, doubtless; would that we were all like him! But
our time will come--yes, our time will come. As is the outward man of
the Reverend Mr Obadiah Longspinner, so would my friend have his
outward man--verily, and his inward also--improved unto sanctity."

The devout tailor snuffled out "Amen," and did his office. Whilst
Pigtop's clothes were preparing, he was not idle. He procured all the
requisites for travelling, and I sent him on a fruitless mission to
discover the residence of the Brandons. He was told by the neighbours
that, a year back, they had all emigrated to Canada. Everything seemed
to favour the machinations of my enemy, and to prevent my gaining any
clue by which to trace him out, or the object of my search. However, I
had one chance left--an interview with the superb Mrs Causand, that
lady that Joshua had so kindly bestowed upon me for a mother.

In three days behold us in private lodgings, the Reverend Mr Pigtop
looking as sour as any canting Methodist in Barebones' parliament, and
quite reconciled to the singularly starch figure that he presented.
There was certainly a sad discrepancy between his dress and his
discourse. However, it was a good travelling disguise, and very
serviceable to a petty officer breaking his leave of absence.

With my health perfectly recovered, dressed with the greatest precision,
and with a beating heart, I went to call upon Mrs Causand. On her all
my hopes rested. I knew that, as a schoolboy, she was extremely fond of
me, and I really loved her as much as I admired her.

I had never before visited her, and was consequently totally ignorant of
the style in which she lived. I found the house which she inhabited,
for I always carefully preserved her address, to be one of those which
faced Hyde Park. I was rather chilled as I observed its quiet,
aristocratic appearance. The porter told me that if I would walk into
the adjoining parlour, and favour him with my name, he would go up
immediately she was alone and announce me.

CHAPTER SIXTY FIVE.

RALPH, FINDING HIMSELF IN PLEASANT PLACES, PREPARETH A LOVE-SPEECH WHICH
IS NOT UTTERED IN THIS CHAPTER--RALPH DESCRIBETH ONLY.

In about five minutes the servant returned, bowed, and led the way. He
stepped up quietly and slowly. There was an