less; and that I am, unknown to him, awaiting his arrival to convey
him in a post-chaise to a private asylum--at Berwick, say. If I don't
show myself much, I dare say I can manage to pass for his mother.'

The thought occurred to the mayor's mind that the lady might show herself
a good deal without fear of detection; seeing that she was about double
the age of her intended husband. He said nothing, however, and the lady
proceeded.

'With the whole of this arrangement dear Lord Peter is acquainted; and
all I want you to do, is, to make the delusion more complete by giving it
the sanction of your influence in this place, and assigning this as a
reason to the people of the house for my taking the young gentleman away.
As it would not be consistent with the story that I should see him until
after he has entered the chaise, I also wish you to communicate with him,
and inform him that it is all going on well.'

'Has he arrived?' inquired Overton.

'I don't know,' replied the lady.

'Then how am I to know!' inquired the mayor. 'Of course he will not give
his own name at the bar.'

'I begged him, immediately on his arrival, to write you a note,' replied
Miss Manners; 'and to prevent the possibility of our project being
discovered through its means, I desired him to write anonymously, and in
mysterious terms, to acquaint you with the number of his room.'

'Bless me!' exclaimed the mayor, rising from his seat, and searching his
pockets--'most extraordinary circumstance--he has arrived--mysterious
note left at my house in a most mysterious manner, just before
yours--didn't know what to make of it before, and certainly shouldn't
have attended to it.--Oh! here it is.' And Joseph Overton pulled out of
an inner coat-pocket the identical letter penned by Alexander Trott. 'Is
this his lordship's hand?'

'Oh yes,' replied Julia; 'good, punctual creature! I have not seen it
more than once or twice, but I know he writes very badly and very large.
These dear, wild young noblemen, you know, Overton--'

'Ay, ay, I see,' replied the mayor.--'Horses and dogs, play and
wine--grooms, actresses, and cigars--the stable, the green-room, the
saloon, and the tavern; and the legislative assembly at last.'

'Here's what he says,' pursued the mayor; '"Sir,--A young gentleman in
number nineteen at the Winglebury Arms, is bent on committing a rash act
to-morrow morning at an early hour." (That's good--he means marrying.)
"If you have any