'None whatever; and what induced me to run away from college?'

'A love affair, I'll be sworn,' said the postilion. 'You had become
acquainted with this young gentlewoman, so she and you--'

'Mind how you get on, friend,' said Belle, in a deep serious tone.

'Pray proceed,' said I; 'I daresay you mean no offence.'

'None in the world,' said the postilion; 'all I was going to say was,
that you agreed to run away together, you from college, and she from
boarding-school. Well, there's nothing to be ashamed of in a matter like
that, such things are done every day by young folks in high life.'

'Are you offended?' said I to Belle.

Belle made no answer; but, placing her elbows on her knees, buried her
face in her hands.

'So we ran away together?' said I.

'Ay, ay,' said the postilion, 'to Gretna Green, though I can't say that I
drove ye, though I have driven many a pair.'

'And from Gretna Green we came here?'

'I'll be bound you did,' said the man, 'till you could arrange matters at
home.'

'And the horse-shoes?' said I.

'The donkey-shoes you mean,' answered the postilion; 'why, I suppose you
persuaded the blacksmith who married you to give you, before you left, a
few lessons in his trade.'

'And we intend to stay here till we have arranged matters at home?'

'Ay, ay,' said the postilion, 'till the old people are pacified, and they
send you letters directed to the next post town, to be left till called
for, beginning with "Dear children," and enclosing you each a cheque for
one hundred pounds, when you will leave this place, and go home in a
coach like gentlefolks, to visit your governors; I should like nothing
better than to have the driving of you: and then there will be a grand
meeting of the two families, and after a few reproaches, the old people
will agree to do something handsome for the poor thoughtless things; so
you will have a genteel house taken for you, and an annuity allowed you.
You won't get much the first year, five hundred at the most, in order
that the old folks may let you feel that they are not altogether
satisfied with you, and that you are yet entirely in their power; but the
second, if you don't get a cool thousand, may I catch cold, especially
should young madam here present a son and heir for the old people to
fondle, destined one day to become sole heir of the two illustrious
houses; and then all the grand folks in the neighbourhood, who
have--bless their prudent hearts!--ke