ner which made
her father proud of the money which he had spent on her education.
So Polly was told to write the letter, and after many expressions of
surprise, Polly wrote the letter that evening. "Mr. and Mrs. Neefit's
compliments to Mr. Newton, and hope he will do them the honour to
dine with them on Sunday next at five o'clock. Alexandrina Cottage,
Sunday."

"Say five sharp," said the breeches-maker.

"No, father, I won't,--say anything about sharp."

"Why not, Polly?"

"It wouldn't look pretty. I don't suppose he'll come, and I'm sure I
don't know why you should ask him. Dear me, I'm certain he'll know
that I wrote it. What will he think?"

"He'll think it comes from as pretty a young woman as he ever clapped
his eyes on," said Mr. Neefit, who was not at all reticent in the
matter of compliments to his daughter.

"Laws, Neefit, how you do spoil the girl!" said his wife.

"He has about finished spoiling me now, mamma; so it don't much
signify. You always did spoil me;--didn't you, father?" Then Polly
kissed Mr. Neefit's bald head; and Mr. Neefit, as he sat in the
centre of his lawn, with his girdle loose around him, a glass of gin
and water by his side, and a pipe in his mouth, felt that in truth
there was something left in the world worth living for. But a thought
came across his mind,--"If that chap comes I shan't be as comfortable
next Sunday." And then there was another thought,--"If he takes my
Polly away from me, I don't know as I shall ever be comfortable
again." But still he did not hesitate or repent. Of course his Polly
must have a husband.

Then a dreadful proposition was made by Mrs. Neefit. "Why not have
Moggs too?"

"Oh, mamma!"

"Are you going to turn your nose up at Ontario Moggs, Miss Pride?"

"I don't turn my nose up at him. I'm very fond of Mr. Moggs. I think
he's the best fun going. But I am sure that if Mr. Newton does come,
he'd rather not have Mr. Moggs here too."

"It wouldn't do at all," said Mr. Neefit. "Ontario is all very well,
but Mr. Newton and he wouldn't suit."

Mrs. Neefit was snubbed, and went to sleep on the sofa for the rest
of the afternoon,--intending, no doubt, to let Mr. Neefit have the
benefit of her feelings as soon as they two should be alone together.

Our friend Ralph received the note, and accepted the invitation. He
told himself that it was a lark. As the reader knows, he had already
decided that he would not sell himself even to so pretty a girl as