her to sit at. And he's always been brought
up decent, having been a regular 'prentice to his uncle, and all
that sort of thing. He's never been wandering about like a vagrant,
getting his money nobody knows how. William Brisket's as well known
in Aldersgate Street as the Post Office. And moreover," she added,
after a pause, speaking these last words in a somewhat milder
breath--"And moreover, it was my sainted mother's wish!"

"Then go to him!" said Robinson, rising suddenly, and stretching out
his arm against her. "Go to him, and perform your--sainted mother's
wish! Go to the--butcher! Revel in his shambles, and grow fat and
sleek in his slaughter-house! From this moment George Robinson will
fight the world alone. Brisket, indeed! If it be accounted manliness
to have killed hecatombs of oxen, let him be called manly!"

"He would have pretty nigh killed you, young man, on one occasion, if
you hadn't made yourself scarce."

"By heavens!" exclaimed Robinson, "if he'll come forth, I'll fight
him to-morrow;--with cleavers, if he will!"

"George, George, don't say that," exclaimed Mr. Brown. "'Let dogs
delight to bark and bite.'"

"You needn't be afraid," said Maryanne. "He doesn't mean fighting,"
and she pointed to Robinson. "William would about eat him, you know,
if they were to come together."

"Heaven forbid!" said Mr. Brown.

"But what I want to know is this," continued the maiden; "how is it
to be about that five hundred pounds which my mother left me?"

"But, my dear, your mother had not five hundred pounds to leave."

"Nor did she make any will if she had," said Robinson.

"Now don't put in your oar, for I won't have it," said the lady. "And
you'd show a deal more correct feeling if you wasn't so much about
the house just at present. My darling mamma,"--and then she put her
handkerchief up to her eyes--"always told William that when he and I
became one, there should be five hundred pounds down;--and of course
he expects it. Now, sir, you often talk about your love for your
children."

"I do love them; so I do. What else have I?"

"Now's the time to prove it. Let me have that sum of five hundred
pounds, and I will always take your part against the Joneses. Five
hundred pounds isn't so much,--and surely I have a right to some
share. And you may be sure of this; when we're settled, Brisket is
not the man to come back to you for more, as some would do." And then
she gave another look at Robinson.

"I ha