dually she grew composed--grew
herself again. As she gained courage, Mr. Jiffin lost it, and he
ventured upon some faint words of reproach, of him.

Afy burst into a laugh. "Did I not do it well?" she exclaimed. "I
thought I'd play off a joke upon you, so I came out this afternoon and
did it."

Mr. Jiffin clasped his hands. "_Was it a joke_" he returned, trembling
with agitation, uncertain whether he was in paradise or not. "Are you
still ready to let me call you mine?"

"Of course it was a joke," said Afy. "What a soft you must have been,
Mr. Jiffin, not to see through it! When young ladies engage themselves
to be married, you can't suppose they run back from it, close upon the
wedding-day?"

"Oh, Miss Afy!" And the poor little man actually burst into delicious
tears, as he caught hold of Afy's hand and kissed it.

"A great green donkey!" thought Afy to herself, bending on him, however
the sweetest smile.

Rather. But Mr. Jiffin is not the only great donkey in the world.

Richard Hare, meanwhile, had entered his mother's presence. She was
sitting at the open window, the justice opposite to her, in an invalid
chair, basking in the air and the sun. This last attack of the justice's
had affected the mind more than the body. He was brought down to the
sitting-room that day for the first time; but, of his mind, there was
little hope. It was in a state of half imbecility; the most wonderful
characteristic being, that all its self-will, its surliness had gone.
Almost as a little child in tractability, was Justice Hare.

Richard came up to his mother, and kissed her. He had been to East
Lynne. Mrs. Hare took his hand and fondly held it. The change in her was
wonderful; she was a young and happy woman again.

"Barbara has decided to go to the seaside, mother. Mr. Carlyle takes her
on Monday."

"I am glad, my dear, it will be sure to go her good. Richard"--bending
over to her husband, but still retaining her son's hand--"Barbara has
agreed to go to the seaside, I will set her up."

"Ay, ay," nodded the justice, "set her up. Seaside? Can't we go?"

"Certainly, dear, if you wish it; when you shall be a little stronger."

"Ay, ay," nodded the justice again. It was his usual answer now.
"Stronger. Where's Barbara?"

"She goes on Monday, sir," said Richard, likewise bending his head.
"Only for a fortnight. But they talk of going again later in the
autumn."

"Can't I go, too?" repeated the justice, looking pleadingl