n was correct?' he tremulously inquired, when he
was once more on his feet.

'It was.' Watkins elevated his hands, and looked up to the ornament in
the centre of the ceiling, which had been made for a lamp, by way of
expressing his rapture.

'Our situation, Mr. Tottle,' resumed the lady, glancing at him through
one of the eyelet-holes, 'is a most peculiar. and delicate one.'

'It is,' said Mr. Tottle.

'Our acquaintance has been of _so_ short duration,' said Miss Lillerton.

'Only a week,' assented Watkins Tottle.

'Oh! more than that,' exclaimed the lady, in a tone of surprise.

'Indeed!' said Tottle.

'More than a month--more than two months!' said Miss Lillerton.

'Rather odd, this,' thought Watkins.

'Oh!' he said, recollecting Parsons's assurance that she had known him
from report, 'I understand. But, my dear madam, pray, consider. The
longer this acquaintance has existed, the less reason is I there for
delay now. Why not at once fix a period for gratifying the hopes of your
devoted admirer?'

'It has been represented to me again and again that this is the course I
ought to pursue,' replied Miss Lillerton, 'but pardon my feelings of
delicacy, Mr. Tottle--pray excuse this embarrassment--I have peculiar
ideas on such subjects, and I am quite sure that I never could summon up
fortitude enough to name the day to my future husband.'

'Then allow _me_ to name it,' said Tottle eagerly.

'I should like to fix it myself,' replied Miss Lillerton, bashfully, but
I cannot do so without at once resorting to a third party.'

'A third party!' thought Watkins Tottle; 'who the deuce is that to be, I
wonder!'

'Mr. Tottle,' continued Miss Lillerton, 'you have made me a most
disinterested and kind offer--that offer I accept. Will you at once be
the bearer of a note from me to--to Mr. Timson?'

'Mr. Timson!' said Watkins.

'After what has passed between us,' responded Miss Lillerton, still
averting her head, 'you must understand whom I mean; Mr. Timson,
the--the--clergyman.'

'Mr. Timson, the clergyman!' ejaculated Watkins Tottle, in a state of
inexpressible beatitude, and positive wonder at his own success. 'Angel!
Certainly--this moment!'

'I'll prepare it immediately,' said Miss Lillerton, making for the door;
'the events of this day have flurried me so much, Mr. Tottle, that I
shall not leave my room again this evening; I will send you the note by
the servant.'

'Stay,--stay,' cried Watkins Tottle,