e or two, if you please, John! What
I want most to tell you, I have kept to the last. My dear, good,
generous John, when we were talking the other night about the Cricket, I
had it on my lips to say, that at first I did not love you quite so
dearly as I do now; when I first came home here, I was half afraid that
I mightn't learn to love you every bit as well as I hoped and prayed I
might--being so very young, John! But, dear John, every day and hour I
loved you more and more. And if I could have loved you better than I do,
the noble words I heard you say this morning would have made me. But I
can't. All the affection that I had (it was a great deal, John) I gave
you, as you well deserve, long, long ago, and I have no more left to
give. Now, my dear husband, take me to your heart again! That's my home,
John; and never, never think of sending me to any other!"

You never will derive so much delight from seeing a glorious little
woman in the arms of a third party as you would have felt if you had
seen Dot run into the Carrier's embrace. It was the most complete,
unmitigated, soul-fraught little piece of earnestness that ever you
beheld in all your days.

You may be sure the Carrier was in a state of perfect rapture; and you
may be sure Dot was likewise; and you may be sure they all were,
inclusive of Miss Slowboy, who wept copiously for joy, and, wishing to
include her young charge in the general interchange of congratulations,
handed round the Baby to everybody in succession, as if it were
something to drink.

But, now, the sound of wheels was heard again outside the door; and
somebody exclaimed that Gruff and Tackleton was coming back. Speedily
that worthy gentleman appeared, looking warm and flustered.

"Why, what the Devil's this, John Peerybingle?" said Tackleton. "There's
some mistake. I appointed Mrs. Tackleton to meet me at the church, and
I'll swear I passed her on the road, on her way here. Oh! here she is! I
beg your pardon, sir; I haven't the pleasure of knowing you; but, if you
can do me the favour to spare this young lady, she has rather a
particular engagement this morning."

"But I can't spare her," returned Edward. "I couldn't think of it."

"What do you mean, you vagabond?" said Tackleton.

"I mean that, as I can make allowance for your being vexed," returned
the other with a smile, "I am as deaf to harsh discourse this morning as
I was to all discourse last night."

The look that Tackleton besto