n alone, soon after tea.

'I say,' said Tottle, as they went up-stairs, 'don't you think it would
be better if we put it off till-till-to-morrow?'

'Don't _you_ think it would have been much better if I had left you in
that wretched hole I found you in this morning?' retorted Parsons
bluntly.

'Well--well--I only made a suggestion,' said poor Watkins Tottle, with a
deep sigh.

Tea was soon concluded, and Miss Lillerton, drawing a small work-table on
one side of the fire, and placing a little wooden frame upon it,
something like a miniature clay-mill without the horse, was soon busily
engaged in making a watch-guard with brown silk.

'God bless me!' exclaimed Parsons, starting up with well-feigned
surprise, 'I've forgotten those confounded letters. Tottle, I know
you'll excuse me.'

If Tottle had been a free agent, he would have allowed no one to leave
the room on any pretence, except himself. As it was, however, he was
obliged to look cheerful when Parsons quitted the apartment.

He had scarcely left, when Martha put her head into the room,
with--'Please, ma'am, you're wanted.'

Mrs. Parsons left the room, shut the door carefully after her, and Mr.
Watkins Tottle was left alone with Miss Lillerton.

For the first five minutes there was a dead silence.--Mr. Watkins Tottle
was thinking how he should begin, and Miss Lillerton appeared to be
thinking of nothing. The fire was burning low; Mr. Watkins Tottle
stirred it, and put some coals on.

'Hem!' coughed Miss Lillerton; Mr. Watkins Tottle thought the fair
creature had spoken. 'I beg your pardon,' said he.

'Eh?'

'I thought you spoke.'

'No.'

'Oh!'

'There are some books on the sofa, Mr. Tottle, if you would like to look
at them,' said Miss Lillerton, after the lapse of another five minutes.

'No, thank you,' returned Watkins; and then he added, with a courage
which was perfectly astonishing, even to himself, 'Madam, that is Miss
Lillerton, I wish to speak to you.'

'To me!' said Miss Lillerton, letting the silk drop from her hands, and
sliding her chair back a few paces.--'Speak--to me!'

'To you, madam--and on the subject of the state of your affections.' The
lady hastily rose and would have left the room; but Mr. Watkins Tottle
gently detained her by the hand, and holding it as far from him as the
joint length of their arms would permit, he thus proceeded: 'Pray do not
misunderstand me, or suppose that I am led to address you, after so sho