Heart

s what I c

of John Dillaway would be pleased to designate as "bones." He had forthwith gone to his father's room as merry at the chance of ou

be a wedding here, I fin

? a weddi

: what do you think now of our laughing, and c

Clements? Ey? w

hese six weeks? Are you stone deaf, that all their pretty speeches have been wasted on you? All I

rriage, that even John was staggered at such a dreadful curse; nevertheless, an instantaneous reflection so

kissing up there ten minutes ago, they were sharp enough to swear

en soft speeches: pr'ythee, supply an occasional interjection, and believe that in this place Sir Thomas swore most awfully; then

storming, hopeful as it looked, might still be premature, and do no substantial good; nay, if this wrath broke out too soon, Maria would at once give way, become more dutiful than ever, and his golden chance was gone. No:

d boy, in case of such things happening? It was wicked too of me to tease you so-but I'm so jolly, governor; such luck in Jermyn street-I knew

r had now nothing to object; for, in his philosophy, the end justified the means. With most of this wise world, he looked upon success as in the nature of virtue, and failure as the surest sign of vice; acc

t raking up the cinders again, you know, and you might be fool enough to raise a flame. No, governor, if it's any consolation to you, that pauper connection has been all at an end this month; not but what the beggar's got my mother's ear still, I fancy; but as to Maria, she detests him. So take my advice, and don't tease the poor gi

ould be more prudent or well-timed that this ideal aristocratic connection. Jack was a good fellow, a dear boy; and he added to his apparent amiabilities now by reiterating counsels of kindness and silence towards "poor dear sist

such a hound: therefore it appears that Dillaway had three of them at least to gladden him in solitude; and he

and he so bloated up with honour. They'll never wed, I'm clear, unless the governor's by to bless 'em; and as to m

f his mind seemed to show the way before him, as wisp-fire

be to persuade them, as the mother did, that Sir Thomas, generally a reserved unsocial man at home (and that in especial to Maria), was very nervous at the thought of losing his dear daughter, and (while he acquiesced in the common fate of parents and the usual way of the world) begged that his coming bereavement might be obtruded on him as little as possible-Mr. Clements always to avoid him, and Maria to hold her tongue: number three, to amuse his father all the while by the prospect of his own high alliance, so as effectually to hoodwi

ry like a devil-very. If selfishness deserves the meed of praise, who more honourable than thou art? But if a heartless

possibly counteract its hopes. Then again, the mother was a close ally; for having set her quiet heart upon the match, Lady Dillaway at once encouraged all John's sympathetic scheme, on the prudent principle of getting the young couple inextricably married first, and then obliging her lord to be reconciled afterwards to what he could not help. Sir Thomas himself, poor blinkered creature, was full of the most aristocratical and wealthy fancies, and only yearned to inspect the acres of his future honourable grand-children. He was, from these fanciful causes, unusually af

total ignorance of all; and yet, as ambassadorial John constantly gave out to Clements and Maria, in an amiable nervous state of natural acquiescence. Next day, then, the besotted father was about to be packed post for Yorkshire; the important letter, with its enclosed bank note, was already written and sealed, as like the governor's hand as possible; a license had been long ago provided, and the clergyman bespoke, by the brotherly officiousne

on of his fine heart, exquisite sensibilities, and generous feelings. Then, as a crowning-stone to all the bliss, if any lingering doubt existed in the mind of Clements, who had more than once expressed dislike at Sir Thomas's silent and unsatisfying sympathy-the letter-the letter, whereof kind brother John, secretly initiated, had some days forewarned them of its probability-that letter, which explained at once all a father's kind anxieties, and made up for all his cold reserve, was found on Sir Thomas's own table! How amiable, how beautifully sensitive, how liberal too! Lady Dillaway plumed herself in a whispering transport upon her just appreci