tment on Mr. Gibson,
and remained closeted with that gentleman for the greater portion of
the morning. Camilla knew well that he was going, and went about the
house like a perturbed spirit during his absence. There was a look
about her that made them all doubt whether she was not, in truth,
losing her mind. Her mother more than once went to the pantry to
see that the knives were right; and, as regarded that sharp-pointed
weapon, was careful to lock it up carefully out of her daughter's
way. Mr. Crump had declared himself willing to take Camilla back to
Gloucester, and had laughed at the obstacles which his niece might,
perhaps, throw in the way of such an arrangement. "She mustn't have
much luggage;--that is all," said Mr. Crump. For Mr. Crump had been
made aware of the circumstances of the trousseau. About three o'clock
Mr. Crump came back from Mr. Gibson's, and expressed a desire to be
left alone with Camilla. Mrs. French was prepared for everything; and
Mr. Crump soon found himself with his younger niece.

"Camilla, my dear," said he, "this has been a bad business."

"I don't know what business you mean, Uncle Jonas."

"Yes, you do, my dear;--you know. And I hope it won't come too late
to prove to you that young women shouldn't be too keen in setting
their caps at the gentlemen. It's better for them to be hunted, than
to hunt."

"Uncle Jonas, I will not be insulted."

"Stick to that, my dear, and you won't get into a scrape again. Now,
look here. This man can never be made to marry you, anyhow."

"I wouldn't touch him with a pair of tongs, if he were kneeling at my
feet!"

"That's right; stick to that. Of course, you wouldn't now, after all
that has come and gone. No girl with any spirit would."

"He's a coward and a thief, and he'll be--damned for what he has
done, some of these days!"

"T-ch, t-ch, t-ch! That isn't a proper way for a young lady to talk.
That's cursing and swearing."

"It isn't cursing and swearing;--it's what the Bible says."

"Then we'll leave him to the Bible. In the meantime, Mr. Gibson wants
to marry some one else, and that can't hurt you."

"He may marry whom he likes;--but he shan't marry Bella--that's all!"

"It is Bella that he means to marry."

"Then he won't. I'll forbid the banns. I'll write to the bishop. I'll
go to the church and prevent its being done. I'll make such a noise
in the town that it can't be done. It's no use your looking at me
like that, Uncle Jonas. I'v