d and nicely,' timidly observed Tom, 'but I don't
exactly understand what he means.'

'I almost begin to despair of your understanding anything, Tom,' said his
father, who, of course, had been much enlightened by Mr. Horatio
Sparkins's conversation.

'It strikes me, Tom,' said Miss Teresa, 'that you have made yourself very
ridiculous this evening.'

'No doubt of it,' cried everybody--and the unfortunate Tom reduced
himself into the least possible space. That night, Mr. and Mrs.
Malderton had a long conversation respecting their daughter's prospects
and future arrangements. Miss Teresa went to bed, considering whether,
in the event of her marrying a title, she could conscientiously encourage
the visits of her present associates; and dreamed, all night, of
disguised noblemen, large routs, ostrich plumes, bridal favours, and
Horatio Sparkins.

Various surmises were hazarded on the Sunday morning, as to the mode of
conveyance which the anxiously-expected Horatio would adopt. Did he keep
a gig?--was it possible he could come on horseback?--or would he
patronize the stage? These, and other various conjectures of equal
importance, engrossed the attention of Mrs. Malderton and her daughters
during the whole morning after church.

'Upon my word, my dear, it's a most annoying thing that that vulgar
brother of yours should have invited himself to dine here to-day,' said
Mr. Malderton to his wife. 'On account of Mr. Sparkins's coming down, I
purposely abstained from asking any one but Flamwell. And then to think
of your brother--a tradesman--it's insufferable! I declare I wouldn't
have him mention his shop, before our new guest--no, not for a thousand
pounds! I wouldn't care if he had the good sense to conceal the disgrace
he is to the family; but he's so fond of his horrible business, that he
_will_ let people know what he is.'

Mr. Jacob Barton, the individual alluded to, was a large grocer; so
vulgar, and so lost to all sense of feeling, that he actually never
scrupled to avow that he wasn't above his business: 'he'd made his money
by it, and he didn't care who know'd it.'

'Ah! Flamwell, my dear fellow, how d'ye do?' said Mr. Malderton, as a
little spoffish man, with green spectacles, entered the room. 'You got
my note?'

'Yes, I did; and here I am in consequence.'

'You don't happen to know this Mr. Sparkins by name? You know
everybody?'

Mr. Flamwell was one of those gentlemen of remarkably extensive
i