ainder of the evening passed away most delightfully. Mr.
Malderton, relieved from his apprehensions by the circumstance of Mr.
Barton's falling into a profound sleep, was as affable and gracious as
possible. Miss Teresa played the 'Fall of Paris,' as Mr. Sparkins
declared, in a most masterly manner, and both of them, assisted by Mr.
Frederick, tried over glees and trios without number; they having made
the pleasing discovery that their voices harmonised beautifully. To be
sure, they all sang the first part; and Horatio, in addition to the
slight drawback of having no ear, was perfectly innocent of knowing a
note of music; still, they passed the time very agreeably, and it was
past twelve o'clock before Mr. Sparkins ordered the
mourning-coach-looking steed to be brought out--an order which was only
complied with, on the distinct understanding that he was to repeat his
visit on the following Sunday.

'But, perhaps, Mr. Sparkins will form one of our party to-morrow
evening?' suggested Mrs. M. 'Mr. Malderton intends taking the girls to
see the pantomime.' Mr. Sparkins bowed, and promised to join the party
in box 48, in the course of the evening.

'We will not tax you for the morning,' said Miss Teresa, bewitchingly;
'for ma is going to take us to all sorts of places, shopping. I know
that gentlemen have a great horror of that employment.' Mr. Sparkins
bowed again, and declared that he should be delighted, but business of
importance occupied him in the morning. Flamwell looked at Malderton
significantly.--'It's term time!' he whispered.

At twelve o'clock on the following morning, the 'fly' was at the door of
Oak Lodge, to convey Mrs. Malderton and her daughters on their expedition
for the day. They were to dine and dress for the play at a friend's
house. First, driving thither with their band-boxes, they departed on
their first errand to make some purchases at Messrs. Jones, Spruggins,
and Smith's, of Tottenham-court-road; after which, they were to go to
Redmayne's in Bond-street; thence, to innumerable places that no one ever
heard of. The young ladies beguiled the tediousness of the ride by
eulogising Mr. Horatio Sparkins, scolding their mamma for taking them so
far to save a shilling, and wondering whether they should ever reach
their destination. At length, the vehicle stopped before a dirty-looking
ticketed linen-draper's shop, with goods of all kinds, and labels of all
sorts and sizes, in the window. Th