any reason that she should snatch at the first party that may offer, as if she were an humble spinster!"

Lady Deborah's refined politics had rather carried her too far here. The hasty Admiral, always taking it for granted that the stream of other people's ideas must run in the same direction as his own, was not prepared for any such rhodomontade. Not quite understanding what she would be at, he was taken altogether aback for some minutes, until finally interpreting her ladyship's high tone into a decided rejection of his overtures, the discovery produced a commotion in his mind like the meeting of a swollen river with a furious spring-tide.

66

"Oh, very well,-very well, Lady Deborah Delassaux," exclaimed he, starting abruptly from the mossy seat to which his fatigue had very willingly brought him; as you please-as your ladyship pleases, and as your niece pleases; my boy is no beggar's brat to go knocking at all the doors in the parish for a wife. Though I say it, who am his father, he has metal in his composition, and purity in his blood, that will entitle him to cock his beaver at e'er a she in Old

England. But come, come," continued he, moderating himself a little-" come, come-no offence on either side; and since my proposal is not agreeable, let us e'en shake hands, and part friends, and say no more, or think no more, about it."

"Admiral Oakenwold,” replied Lady Deborah, keeping her seat, yet relaxing somewhat of her overwhelming importance, whilst a smile disarmed her eyes of much of their haughtiness, "Sir Cable Oakenwold, you mistake me; what I have said was by no means intended to convey any objection on my part to the highly respectable, and highly advisable party you have offered my niece in the person of Mr Oakenwold, your only son. My expressions were rather elicited, naturally enough, by the surprise of an unexpected proposal, and dictated by the partiality of an affection for my niece, which I may well call parental, since she has now no other parent than myself. Be assured, however, that my surprise is not unmingled with pleasure. But Miss Delassaux can have no thoughts of marriage as yet, and consequently none of Mr Oakenwold, whom she has hardly seen, though I

think it by no means impossible, that a little intercourse may produce a mutual attachment between the young persons; and if my influence can at all weigh with her, I have little hesitation in giving you my promise, that it shall not be wanting to direct and foster those favourable first impressions Olivia may receive from an acquaintance with your son."

The Admiral's countenance gradually brightened up during Lady Deborah's speech. He apologized awkwardly for his hasty interpretation of her first reply to his advances, and after a long and confidential conversation, it was ultimately agreed, very much to the satisfaction of both the negotiating powers, that Amherst should be introduced as a visitor at BrokenhurstHall, immediately on his arrival in the country.

Lady Deborah and her niece had no sooner left Oakenwold Manor, than the Admiral became impatient to break the secret to his sister.

66 Margery," said he abruptly, as they sat têteà-tête after dinner, " I am going to marry Amherst as soon as he comes home."

Miss Oakenwold stared with surprise," Dear

me, brother Cable!-what, marry the boy already? why, he is but a child"

"Child! you old goose, the lad is nearly of age."

"Aye, dear me !-married!" said Miss Margery; "what will become of all the jellies and preserved fruits I and Mrs Glass have been making, early and late, all this season, and all for Ammy ?"

"Jellies and preserved fruits, indeed!” cried the Admiral; "is the woman a fool? Why, what a plague, do you take Amherst for a nursery baby, to be fond of such trash ?-I'll tell you what it is, Madge, don't provoke me with your damned nonsensical old maid's store-room balderdash. I will marry Ammy, and that directly."

Well, brother," said Miss Margery, recollecting herself," to be sure you know best; but may I ask who is to be the happy bride ?”

"Miss Delassaux, to be sure," gruffly replied the Admiral.

"Miss Delassaux !-well, dear me, that is surprising;" and then, in a somewhat lower

tone, she added, "well, after all, they won't be lost."

"What won't be lost, you old carraway comfit?" cried Sir Cable impatiently.

"My preserves, brother," said Miss Oakenwold; "I was just thinking, that as Miss Delassaux knows nothing of such matters, she cannot have prepared a supply of sweets, and I know Ammy likes them; and as the marriage will most likely be at Brokenhurst-Hall, I was just thinking, that, with care, my preserves would carry that distance very nicely, and make a pretty show at the wedding-feast.”

"What a damned old fool you are, Madge; you are enough to make a parson swear. But, come, stir your stumps, old girl, and see that Mrs Glass puts every thing in order for the boy's reception, for, you know, from his letter, he will be here to-morrow, or next day, without fail."

Miss Oakenwold hurried off on this most agreeable of all errands, leaving the Admiral to enjoy the repose of his easy chair, and Morpheus never steeped his eyelids in a sweeter balm, than now descended upon them.