nded for a joke.)

'Never mind, my dear fellow,' replied Timson, all suavity, shaking hands
with Tottle again most heartily, 'so long as we see you to breakfast, you
know--'

'Eh!' said Parsons, with one of the most extraordinary expressions of
countenance that ever appeared in a human face.

'What!' ejaculated Watkins Tottle, at the same moment.

'I say that so long as we see you to breakfast,' replied Timson, 'we will
excuse your being absent from the ceremony, though of course your
presence at it would give us the utmost pleasure.'

Mr. Watkins Tottle staggered against the wall, and fixed his eyes on
Timson with appalling perseverance.

'Timson,' said Parsons, hurriedly brushing his hat with his left arm,
'when you say "us," whom do you mean?'

Mr. Timson looked foolish in his turn, when he replied, 'Why--Mrs. Timson
that will be this day week: Miss Lillerton that is--'

'Now don't stare at that idiot in the corner,' angrily exclaimed Parsons,
as the extraordinary convulsions of Watkins Tottle's countenance excited
the wondering gaze of Timson,--'but have the goodness to tell me in three
words the contents of that note?'

'This note,' replied Timson, 'is from Miss Lillerton, to whom I have been
for the last five weeks regularly engaged. Her singular scruples and
strange feeling on some points have hitherto prevented my bringing the
engagement to that termination which I so anxiously desire. She informs
me here, that she sounded Mrs. Parsons with the view of making her her
confidante and go-between, that Mrs. Parsons informed this elderly
gentleman, Mr. Tottle, of the circumstance, and that he, in the most kind
and delicate terms, offered to assist us in any way, and even undertook
to convey this note, which contains the promise I have long sought in
vain--an act of kindness for which I can never be sufficiently grateful.'

'Good night, Timson,' said Parsons, hurrying off, and carrying the
bewildered Tottle with him.

'Won't you stay--and have something?' said Timson.

'No, thank ye,' replied Parsons; 'I've had quite enough;' and away he
went, followed by Watkins Tottle in a state of stupefaction.

Mr. Gabriel Parsons whistled until they had walked some quarter of a mile
past his own gate, when he suddenly stopped, and said--

'You are a clever fellow, Tottle, ain't you?'

'I don't know,' said the unfortunate Watkins.

'I suppose you'll say this is Fanny's fault, won't you?' inquired
Gabriel.

'