ose to practise your utility?"

"Still the same I find, Tom; all life, spirit, and gaiety, nothing like
a hit, and I suppose you now think you have a palpable one. Never mind,
I am not easily disconcerted, therefore you may play off the artillery
of your wit without much chance of obtaining a triumph; but however, in
plain words, I expect to be a happy father in about another month."

"O ho!" said Tom, "then you are really a useful member of society, and
I suppose are merely come up to town for the purpose of picking up a
little more useful information and instruction how to perform the part
of Papa."

"Nay," replied Sparkle, "I could hardly expect to obtain such from you.
I must therefore be excused and acquitted of all such intentions--but
joking apart, how are you devoted?"

"To you," replied Tallyho, who was much pleased by this accession to
their society.

"Then," continued Sparkle, "lend me all the assistance in your power.
When did you see our old friend Merrywell!"

"The last time I saw him was in a place of safety, studying the law, and
taking lessons from its professors in the Priory."

"We must find him," replied Sparkle; "so if you are not engaged, come
along, and I will relate the circumstances which induce this search as
we proceed."

To this proposal Tom and Bob readily acceding, the party were quickly on
their way towards Abbot's Park.

~~257~~~ "You must know," said Sparkle, "that Merry well's uncle in
the country having received some information upon the subject of his
confinement, probably very highly coloured, has since his release
withdrawn his patronage and support, so that the poor fellow has been
without supplies for some time past, and I am at a loss to conjecture
by what means he is now working the oracle for a subsistence. His uncle,
however, is in the last stage of a severe illness, with little chance
of recovery; and as I apprehend there is but little time to spare, I
intend, if possible, to find our old acquaintance, start him for his
relative's residence, in hope that he may arrive in time to be in at the
death, and become inheritor of his estate, which is considerable, and
may otherwise be apportioned among persons for whom he has had but
little or no regard while living."

"The object in view is a good one," said Dashall, "and I sincerely hope
we shall succeed in our endeavours."

Passing down St. James's-street, Sparkle was quickly recognized by many
of his old acquaintanc