ubject, I shall readily
fulfil a promise which I made to your lamented parent, whose loss I
shall ever deplore."

"A promise to my mother?" said Winifred, unsuspiciously.

"Yes, my angel, to _her_--rest her soul! She extorted it from me, and
bound me by a solemn oath to fulfil it."

"Oh! name it."

"You are a party concerned. Promise me that you will not disobey the
injunctions of her whose memory we must both of us ever revere. Promise
me."

"If in my power--certainly. But, what is it! What _did_ you promise?"

"To offer you my heart, my hand, my life," replied Kneebone, falling at
her feet.

"Sir!" exclaimed Winifred, rising.

"Inequality of rank can be no bar to _our_ union," continued Kneebone.
"Heaven be praised, _I_ am not the son of a nobleman."

In spite of her displeasure, Winifred could not help smiling at the
absurdity of this address. Taking this for encouragement, her suitor
proceeded still more extravagantly. Seizing her hand he covered it with
kisses.

"Adorable girl!" he cried, in the most impassioned tone, and with the
most impassioned look he could command. "Adorable girl, I have long
loved you to desperation. Your lamented mother, whose loss I shall ever
deplore, perceived my passion and encouraged it. Would she were alive to
back my suit!"

"This is beyond all endurance," said Winifred, striving to withdraw her
hand. "Leave me, Sir; I insist."

"Never!" rejoined Kneebone, with increased ardour,--"never, till I
receive from your own lips the answer which is to make me the happiest
or the most miserable of mankind. Hear me, adorable girl! You know not
the extent of my devotion. No mercenary consideration influences me.
Love--admiration for your matchless beauty alone sways me. Let your
father--if he chooses, leave all his wealth to his adopted son. I care
not. Possessed of _you_, I shall have a treasure such as kings could not
boast."

"Pray cease this nonsense," said Winifred, "and quit the room, or I will
call for assistance."

At this juncture, the door opened, and Thames entered the room. As the
woollen-draper's back was towards him, he did not perceive him, but
continued his passionate addresses.

"Call as you please, beloved girl," he cried, "I will not stir till I am
answered. You say that you only love Captain Darrell as a brother--"

"Mr. Kneebone!"

"That you would not accept him were he to offer--"

"Be silent, Sir."

"He then," continued the woollen-draper, "is no