ur now."

"Ontario Moggs in my parlour!" said Neefit, jumping up in bed.

"Yes, father; Ontario Moggs,--my husband, as will be; the man I
honour and love; the man that will honour and love you; as true a
fellow as ever made a young woman happy by taking her. Let me tell
him that you will have him for a son." In truth, Neefit did not speak
the word;--but when Polly left the room, which she presently did
after a long embrace, Mr. Neefit was aware that his consent to the
union would be conveyed to Ontario Moggs in less than five minutes.

"And now you can name the day," said Ontario.

"I cannot do any such thing," replied Polly; "and I think that quite
enough has been settled for one morning. It's give an inch and take
an ell with some folks."

Ontario waited for breakfast, and had an interview with his future
father-in-law. It was an hour after the scene up-stairs before Mr.
Neefit could descend, and when he did come down he was not very
jovial at the breakfast-table. "It isn't what I like, Moggs," was the
first word that he spoke when the young politician rose to grasp the
hand of his future father-in-law.

"I hope you'll live to like it, Mr. Neefit," said Ontario, who, now
that he was to have his way in regard to Polly, was prepared to
disregard entirely any minor annoyances.

"I don't know how that may be. I think my girl might have done
better. I told her so, and I just tell you the same. She might a'
done a deal better, but women is always restive."

"We like to have our own way about our young men, father," said
Polly, who was standing behind her father's chair.

"Bother young men," said the breeches-maker. After that the interview
passed off, if not very pleasantly, at least smoothly,--and it was
understood that Mr. Neefit was to abandon that system of persecution
against Ralph Newton, to which his life had been devoted for the last
few weeks.

After that there was a pretty little correspondence between Polly and
Ralph, with which the story of Polly's maiden life may be presumed to
be ended, and which shall be given to the reader, although by doing
so the facts of our tale will be somewhat anticipated. Polly, with
her father's permission, communicated the fact of her engagement to
her former lover.

Hendon, Saturday.

DEAR SIR,--

Father thinks it best that I should tell you that I
am engaged to marry Mr. Ontario Moggs,--whom you will
remember. He is a most respectable tradesman,