uch alarmed, although Lucy is at this moment
in bed and unwell: for the poor girl has had a sad scene at her grand
uncle's house in Baker Street, and came home very much affected. Rest,
however, will restore her, for she is not one of your nervous sort; and
I hope when you come in the morning, you will see her as blooming as she
was when you went out to-day on that unlucky walk.

"See what Sir George Gorgon says of us all! You won't challenge him, I
know, as he is to be your uncle, and so I may show you his letter.

"Good-night, my dear John. Do not go QUITE distracted before morning;
and believe me your loving aunt,
"JEMIMA BIGGS."

"41 BAKER STREET: 11th December.

"MAJOR-GENERAL SIR GEORGE GORGON has heard with the utmost disgust and
surprise of the engagement which Miss Lucy Gorgon has thought fit to
form.

"The Major-General cannot conceal his indignation at the share which
Miss Biggs has taken in this disgraceful transaction.

"Sir George Gorgon puts an absolute veto upon all further communication
between his niece and the low-born adventurer who has been admitted into
her society, and begs to say that Lieutenant Fitch, of the Lifeguards,
is the gentleman who he intends shall marry Miss Gorgon.

"It is the Major-General's wish, that on the 28th Miss Gorgon should be
ready to come to his house, in Baker Street, where she will be more safe
from impertinent intrusions than she has been in Mucklebury Square.

"MRS. BIGGS,
"Caroline Place,
"Mecklenburgh Square."

When poor John Perkins read this epistle, blank rage and wonder filled
his soul, at the audacity of the little General, who thus, without
the smallest title in the world, pretended to dispose of the hand
and fortune of his niece. The fact is, that Sir George had such a
transcendent notion of his own dignity and station, that it never for a
moment entered his head that his niece, or anybody else connected with
him, should take a single step in life without previously receiving his
orders; and Mr. Fitch, a baronet's son, having expressed an admiration
of Lucy, Sir George had determined that his suit should be accepted, and
really considered Lucy's preference of another as downright treason.

John Perkins determined on the death of Fitch as the very least
reparation that should satisfy him; and vowed too that some of the
General's blood should be