nd a Wapshot's honour is sacred.'

"'I suppose, sir,' says I, 'Mr. Brough has threatened to kick you out of
doors, if you call again.'

"'You _have_ been with him, I see,' says the reverend gent, with a shrug:
then I remembered what you had told me of the broken seal of your letter,
and have not the slightest doubt that Brough opened and read every word
of it.

"Well, the first bird was bagged: both I and Brough had had a shot at
him. Now I had to fire at the whole Rookery; and off I went, primed and
loaded, sir,--primed and loaded.

"It was past eight when I arrived, and I saw, after I passed the lodge-
gates, a figure that I knew, walking in the shrubbery--that of your
respected aunt, sir: but I wished to meet the amiable ladies of the house
before I saw her; because look, friend Titmarsh, I saw by Mrs. Hoggarty's
letter, that she and they were at daggers drawn, and hoped to get her out
of the house at once by means of a quarrel with them."

I laughed, and owned that Mr. Smithers was a very cunning fellow.

"As luck would have it," continued he, "Miss Brough was in the drawing-
room twangling on a guitar, and singing most atrociously out of tune; but
as I entered at the door, I cried 'Hush!' to the footman, as loud as
possible, stood stock-still, and then walked forward on tip-toe lightly.
Miss B. could see in the glass every movement that I made; she pretended
not to see, however, and finished the song with a regular roulade.

"'Gracious Heaven!' said I, 'do, madam, pardon me for interrupting that
delicious harmony,--for coming unaware upon it, for daring uninvited to
listen to it.'

"'Do you come for Mamma, sir?' said Miss Brough, with as much
graciousness as her physiognomy could command. 'I am Miss Brough, sir.'

"'I wish, madam, you would let me not breathe a word regarding my
business until you have sung another charming strain.'

"She did not sing, but looked pleased, and said, 'La! sir, what is your
business?'

"'My business is with a lady, your respected father's guest in this
house.'

"'Oh, Mrs. Hoggarty!' says Miss Brough, flouncing towards the bell, and
ringing it. 'John, send to Mrs. Hoggarty, in the shrubbery; here is a
gentleman who wants to see her.'

"'I know,' continued I, 'Mrs. Hoggarty's peculiarities as well as anyone,
madam; and aware that those and her education are not such as to make her
a fit companion for you. I know you do not like her: she has written to
us in Somersets