clear of the town. Then he stopped to
consider his next move, and after a little deliberation resolved to pay a
visit to Jem Hardy and acquaint him with the joyful tidings.

That gentleman, however, was out, and Mr. Nugent, somewhat irritated at
such thoughtlessness, stood in the road wondering where to go next. It
was absolutely impossible for him to sleep that night without telling the
good news to somebody, and after some thought he selected Mr. Wilks. It
was true that relations had been somewhat strained between them since the
latter's attempt at crimping him, but he was never one to bear malice,
and to-night he was full of the kindliest thoughts to all mankind.

He burst into Mr. Wilks's front room suddenly and then pulled up short.
The steward, with a pitiable look of anxiety on his pallid features, was
leaning awkwardly against the mantelpiece, and opposite him Mrs. Silk sat
in an easy-chair, dissolved in tears.

"Busy, Sam?" inquired Mr. Nugent, who had heard of the steward's
difficulties from Hardy.

"No, sir," said Mr. Wilks, hastily; "sit down, sir."

He pushed forward a chair and, almost pulling his visitor into it, stood
over him attentively and took his hat.

"Are you quite sure I'm not interrupting you?" inquired the thoughtful
Mr. Nugent.

"Certain sure, sir," said Mr. Wilks, eagerly. "I was just 'aving a bit
of a chat with my neighbour, Mrs. Silk, 'ere, that's all."

The lady in question removed her handkerchief from her eyes and gazed at
him with reproachful tenderness. Mr. Wilks plunged hastily into
conversation.

"She came over 'ere to tell me a bit o' news," he said, eyeing the young
man doubtfully. "It seems that Teddy----"

Mr. Nugent fetched a mighty sigh and shook his head; Mrs. Silk gazed at
him earnestly.

"Life is full of surprises, sir," she remarked.

"And sadness," added Mr. Nugent. "I hope that they will be happy."

"It struck me all of a 'eap," said Mrs. Silk, rolling her handkerchief
into a ball and placing it in her lap. "I was doing a bit of ironing
when in walks Teddy with Amelia Kybird, and says they was married last
Friday. I was that shaken I didn't know what I did or what I said. Then
I came over as soon as I could, because I thought Mr. Wilks ought to know
about it."

Mr. Wilks cleared his throat and turned an agonized eye on Mr. Nugent.
He would have liked to have asked why Mrs. Silk should think it necessary
to inform him, but the fear of precipitat