lected all that he wanted to retain for himself, the books, plate,
and some other articles, which he valued for Spikeman's sake, and as old
reminiscences, and putting them up in a chest, requested that it might
be sent to the inn; and then, upon reflection, he thought he could do no
better with the remainder than to make them a present to the old woman,
which he did, after paying up her arrears of rent, and by so doing made
one person, for the time, superlatively happy, which is something worth
doing in this chequered world of ours. Joey, as soon as he had returned
to the inn, sat down to write to Spikeman, and also to Mr Small, at
Portsmouth, and having posted his letters, as he did not quit Dudstone
until the next morning, he resolved to pay a visit to his former
acquaintances, Miss Amelia and Miss Ophelia. His knock at the door was
answered by Miss Amelia, as usual, but with only one arm unoccupied, a
baby being in the other, and the squalling in the little parlour gave
further evidence of matrimony. Our hero was obliged to introduce
himself, as he was stared at as an utter stranger; he was then
immediately welcomed, and requested to walk into the parlour. In a few
minutes the whole of the family history was communicated. The old lady
had been dead three years, and at her death the young ladies found
themselves in possession of one thousand pounds each. This thousand
pounds proved to them that husbands were to be had, even at Dudstone and
its vicinity. Miss Amelia had been married more than two years to a
master builder, who had plenty of occupation, not so much in building
new houses at Dudstone as in repairing the old ones, and they were doing
well, and had two children. Her sister had married a young farmer, and
she could see her money every day in the shape of bullocks and sheep
upon the farm; they also were doing well. Joey remained an hour: Mrs
Potts was very anxious that he should remain longer, and give her his
opinion of her husband; but this, Joey declined, and, desiring to be
kindly remembered to her sister, took his leave, and the next morning
was on his way to London.

CHAPTER FORTY TWO.

VERY PLEASANT CORRESPONDENCE.

As soon as Joey arrived at the metropolis, he went to the correspondent
of the house at Portsmouth to inquire for letters. He found one of the
greatest interest from Mr Small, who, after some preliminaries relative
to the business and certain commissions for him to transact