and Harry to walk
beside each other, did not permit of two gentlemen doing so
conveniently--a circumstance which proved a great relief to Mr Kennedy,
inasmuch as it enabled him, while walking behind his companion, to wink
convulsively, smoke furiously, and punch his own ribs severely, by way
of opening a few safety-valves to his glee, without which there is no
saying what might have happened. He was nearly caught in these
eccentricities more than once, however, as Harry turned half round with
the intention of again attempting to exculpate himself--attempts which
were as often met by a sudden start, a fierce frown, a burst of smoke,
and a command to "go on." On approaching the house, the track became a
broad road, affording Mr Kennedy no excuse for walking in the rear, so
that he was under the necessity of laying violent restraint on his
feelings--a restraint which it was evident could not last long. At that
moment, to his great relief, his eye suddenly fell on the grey cat,
which happened to be reposing innocently on the doorstep.

"_That's_ it! there's the whole cause of it at last!" cried Mr Kennedy,
in a perfect paroxysm of excitement, flinging his pipe violently at the
unoffending victim as he rushed towards it. The pipe missed the cat,
but went with a sharp crash through the parlour window, at which Charley
was seated, while his father darted through the doorway, along the
passage, and into the kitchen. Here the cat, having first capsized a
pyramid of pans and kettles in its consternation, took refuge in an
absolutely unassailable position. Seeing this, Mr Kennedy violently
discharged a pailful of water at the spot, strode rapidly to his own
apartment, and locked himself in.

"Dear me, Harry, what's wrong? my father seems unusually excited," said
Charley, in some astonishment, as Harry entered the room and flung
himself on a chair with a look of chagrin.

"It's difficult to say, Charley; the fact is, I've asked your sister
Kate to be my wife, and your father seems to have gone mad with
indignation."

"Asked Kate to be your wife!" cried Charley, starting up and regarding
his friend with a look of amazement.

"Yes, I have," replied Harry, with an air of offended dignity. "I know
very well that I am unworthy of her, but I see no reason why you and
your father should take such pains to make me feel it."

"Unworthy of her, my dear fellow!" exclaimed Charley, grasping his hand
and wringing it violently; "no