ation. Only in imagination.
The fact is, some trivial difference did exist, just then, between what
I said and what I had not the courage to say--between what I did and
what I had half a mind to do.

The old porpoise, as I opened the drawing-room door, was sitting with
his feet upon the mantelpiece, making strenuous efforts to accomplish a
ditty.

"My _dear_ uncle," said I, closing the door gently and approaching him
with the blandest of smiles, "you are always so very kind and
considerate, and have evinced your benevolence in so many--so very many
ways--that--that I feel I have only to suggest this little point to you
once more to make sure of your full acquiescence."

"Hem!" said he, "good boy! go on!"

"I am sure, my dearest uncle (you confounded old rascal!) that you have
no design really and seriously to oppose my union with Kate. This is
merely a joke of yours, I know--ha! ha! ha!--how very pleasant you are
at times."

"Ha! ha! ha!" said he, "curse you! yes!"

"To be sure--of course! I knew you were jesting. Now, uncle, all that
Kate and myself wish at present, is that you would oblige us--as regards
the _time_--you know, uncle--in short, when will it be most convenient
for yourself that the wedding shall--shall come off, you know?"

"Come off, you scoundrel! what do you mean by that?--Better wait till it
goes on."

"Ha! ha! ha!--he! he! he!--oh, that's good--oh, that's capital--such a
wit! But all we want, just now, you know, uncle, is that you should
indicate the time precisely."

"Ah!--precisely?"

"Yes, uncle--that is, if it would be quite agreeable to yourself."

"Wouldn't it answer, Bobby, if I were to leave it at random--sometime
within a year or so, for example?--_must_ I say precisely?"

"_If_ you please, uncle--precisely."

"Well, then, Bobby, my boy--you're a fine fellow, aren't you?--since you
_will_ have the exact time, I'll--why, I'll oblige you for once."

"Dear uncle!"

[Illustration: "WELL, THEN, BOBBY, MY BOY"]

"Hush, sir!" (drowning my voice)--"I'll oblige you for once. You shall
have my consent--and the _plum_, we mustn't forget the plum--let me see!
When shall it be? To-day's Sunday--isn't it! Well, then, you shall be
married precisely--_precisely_, now mind!--_when three Sundays come
together in a week_! Do you hear me, sir! What are you gaping at? I say,
you shall have Kate and her plum when three Sundays come together in a
week--but not _till_ then--you young scapegrac