wait the progress of events, see sweet Bo-opis;
and, with gentle remonstrance, temper the
fiery warmth of her passion. I wrote thus to
Mr. Twist, senior:

                         LETTER C.

DEAR SIR,—I am a tolerably observant person,
and I dare say could be of much use to you.
Forgive me if I add that the purport of the latter
portion of your letter (I allude to the remark
respecting the health of a clergyman in your parish),
is to me incomprehensible.
                                          I am, dear sir,
                                                 ALFR. HOBLUSH.

Poor feeble creatures that we are! Such
slaves to the flesh, that the following hastily
scrawled epistle (there was a film over my
eyes as I wrote) was presently on its road:

                         LETTER D.

DEAREST MISS EMILIA MATILDA,—Your letter
reached me in due course: I believe through the
local post. It has left surprise, sympathy, grief,
and, I will add, insatiable curiosity, all struggling
in this wretched bosom. What can you hint at?
I can think of but one solution, which I durst not,
however, let near me. I burst to learn all.
                Yours,
                        ALFRED THEODORE HOBLUSH.
P.S.—I have found the breeze on the hill
overhanging this city highly salubrious towards the hour
you mention. It shall fan my fevered brow this day.

I dressed myself with exceeding care. My
raiment was spotless; the straight collarless
vest was put on, and a delicately tinted pair
of lavender gloves taken out. Ambrosial
odours went before me, and a golden cloud
as far as the door of the Great King, when I
was stopped (cloud, ambrosial scents, and all)
by Twist, the younger, in great trepidation
and excitement.

"I must speak with you," he said hurriedly.

"I am in haste—an appointment," I
answered, guiltily.

"I will walk with you, then," he answered,
"I want your advice." Putting his arm in
mine, he began to stride in the direction of
the great hill. All the way he kept pouring
out his troubles, and I had lost all power to
resist.

"Events," he said, "are thickening. I begin
to suspect that my father knows all. He has
grown surly and moody of late, and speaks of
leaving. Something must be done, and that
quickly"

We were out of the town and hurrying to
the fatal tryst.

"I can go no further," I said, stopping
desperately. "I shall miss the
appointment—"

"Perish all appointments!" he said,
contemptuously. "What is such trash to me?
Come, don't trifle with a frantic man."

He clutched my arm with such force, and
looked so excited, that I durst not resist, and
was dragged on uncomplaining.

"I have made up my mind," he said, at
length; "the only thing for us is a private
marriage. The Governor will threaten to cut
me off, and will storm; but will make it up
afterwards. I rely on you."

"For what?" I asked with astonishment.

"For the exercise of your sacred functions;
for the linking together of two tender hearts
—the most glorious office man can do for his
fellow-man," he said enthusiastically.

My lip curled insensibly. Poor trusting
fool! He knew not of the letter that lay in
an inside pocket of mine; and how he,
whom he walked beside, was indeed a
preferred and hated rival. Heaven knows it
was none of my seeking. It had been thrust
upon me. We were half way up the hill. I
stopped.

"Come no further with me," I said; "I
will not have it. It is taking you out of your
road."

"Will you do what we require?" he said
excitedly.

Again my lip curled, and yet I pitied him.
He would know it soon enough, let him not
learn it from me.

"We will see about that," I said, waving
him off playfully: "we will talk it over
another time."

"You shall not go until you promise," he
said, seizing me by the collar; yes, by the
graceful stand-up collar. I started back
alarmed. I was not used to scenes of violence.
My knees trembled under me.

"Release me," I said, thickly; "respect
the cloth."

"Not until you have promised," he said,
hoarsely.

What terrible struggle might have followed
I know not; but, at that instant, a cry was
heard and a female form rushed from some
hiding place and stood between us. It was
Bo-opis, the Large-eyed!

"Oh, madam!" said the youth, sarcastically;
"you here! Pray, sir, was this the
appointment you spoke of?"

I looked at Bo-opis; and, trying to steal my
arm around her (unsuccessfully), the way I
recollect seeing it done at theatres on
similar occasions, said to re-assure her, "Fear
nothing, I shall not betray you!"

She turned from me like a frighted deer.
Bashful Bo-opis!

"Let him do his worst," I cried in exultation,
and still striving (unsuccessfully) to
lend her a feeble support; "the world is
wide; I have been a woman hater, but shall
be so no more."

"Goodness, Mr. Hoblush," she answered,
naturally fluttered. "what do you mean?"

"I'll not betray you, I'll die sooner!" I
said, quite carried away, and forgetting Mr.
Twist's obscure postscript.

"Goodness, Augustus," she said, creeping
close to him; "have you not told him all?
Does he consent?"

"Was this the appointment?" he said,
doubtingly.