."

Here Mrs. St. Felix burst out in a laugh so violent that I thought that
it would end in hysterics. As soon as she had recovered herself, I
continued:

"It is all true, and independent of the five or six people half killed,
you will have to answer for a _whole_ death besides, for Tom has
intimated to me that if he fails in his suit he will have recourse to
the big bottle of laudanum. You must further know that he has taxed my
friendship to make known to you his deplorable condition, being unequal
to the task himself."

"He must be mad," observed Mrs. St. Felix, quietly.

"He flatters himself that you have given him encouragement. I asked in
what way; he says you always laugh at him."

"True as the Bible--I can't help laughing at such a droll figure as he
makes of himself. Mercy on me! what are men made of? Well, Tom, I'm sure
I ought to be flattered, for (let it be a secret between us, Tom) this
is the second offer I have received within these twenty-four hours."

"The doctor, I presume; Tom says that he is jealous."

"I mention no names. This is all very foolish."

"But you have not yet rejected both. Tom awaits his answer."

"Tell him anything that you please. By the bye, you may just as well add
that, instead of taking the laudanum, he had better resort to his old
remedy--of liquorice and water. It will look just as killing in the
phial, and not be quite so fatal in its results."

"I shall certainly execute your commission in as delicate a way as I
possibly can."

"Do, Tom, and pray let me hear no more of this nonsense, for, ridiculous
as it may appear, it is to me very painful. Leave now--I am nervous and
low-spirited. Good-by. Come this evening with your sister, I shall be
better then."

Mrs. St. Felix went into the back parlor, and I left the shop. I had
turned the wrong way, almost forgetting to give Tom his answer, when I
recollected myself, and returned to the doctor's house.

"Well?" said Tom, eagerly.

"Why," replied I, hardly having made my mind up what to say, yet not
wishing to hurt his feelings, "the fact is, Tom, that the widow has a
very good opinion of you."

"I knew that," interrupted Tom.

"And if she were ever to marry again--why, you would have quite as good
a chance as the doctor."

"I was sure of that," said he.

"But at present, the widow--for reasons which she cannot explain to
anybody--cannot think of entering into any new engagement."

"I see--no regular engagement