verdict, sir; the Chief Baron
very needlessly recommending me, for the future, to be cautious in
forming the acquaintance of ladies, and to avoid widows as a general
rule. These are the pleasantries of the Bench, and doubtless they amuse
the junior bar. I declare to you, sir, in all seriousness, I 'd rather
that a man should give me a fillip on the nose than take the liberty of
a joke with me. It is the one insufferable thing in life." This sally
had so far excited him that it was some minutes ere he recovered his
self-possession. "Now, Mr. L'Estrange," said he, at last, "I bind you in
no degree--I pledge you to nothing; I simply ask leave to address myself
to your sister. It is what lawyers call a 'motion to show cause why.'"

"I perceive that," broke in L'Estrange; "but even that much I ought not
to concede without consulting my sister and obtaining her consent. You
will allow me therefore time."

"Time, sir! My nerves must not be agitated. There can be no delays.
It was not without a great demand on my courage, and a strong dose of
chlorodine--Japps's preparation--that I made this effort now. Don't
imagine I can sustain it much longer. No, sir, I cannot give time."

"After all, Sir Marcus, you can scarcely suppose that my sister is
prepared for such a proposition."

"Sir, they are always prepared for it. It never takes them unawares. I
have made them my study for years, and I do think I have some knowledge
of their way of thinking and acting. I 'll lay my life on it, if you
will go and say, 'Maria'--"

"My sister's name is Julia," said the other, dryly.

"It may be, sir--I said 'Maria' generically, and I repeat it--'Maria,
there is in my study at this moment a gentleman, of irreproachable
morals and unblemished constitution, whose fortune is sufficiently ample
to secure many comforts and all absolute necessaries, who desires to
make you his wife;' her first exclamation will be, 'It is Sir Marcus
Cluff.'"

"It is not impossible," said L'Estrange, gravely.

"The rest, sir, is not with you, nor even with me. Do me, then, the
great favor to bear my message."

Although seeing the absurdity of the situation, and vaguely forecasting
the way Julia might possibly hear the proposition, L'Estrange was always
so much disposed to yield to the earnestness of any one who persisted in
a demand, that he bowed and left the room.

"Well, George, he has proposed?" cried Julia, as her brother entered the
room, where she sat