a carriage at the door.

Polly rose quickly, with a half-frightened look.

"Don't be alarmed, Poll, it's only the doctor," he said, going out to
the passage.

"Pardon my coming so much before the appointed time," said a familiar
voice; "but I have something to communicate before she comes--something
very important and--"

Philosopher Jack stopped short, for he had entered the room and saw that
Polly had already come. With one spring he was at her side, seized her
in his arms, and imprinted on her lips what her father afterwards called
the "stiffest nor'wester he'd ever seen." At the time, however, the
captain strode up to our philosopher with a frown.

"Come, come, doctor," he said, sternly, "there is a limit to familiarity
even among--"

"Pardon me," said our hero, drawing Polly's unresisting hand through his
arm; "I had no intention of doing it until I had your consent; but
somehow--I can't tell how--it came upon me suddenly while I was paying
my respects to her in London, not long ago, and before I knew where I
was, it all came out, and she accepted me, on the understanding that I
should consider it no engagement until I had obtained your consent. So
now, I have to ask your forgiveness and your blessing--father."

Captain Samson stood there, bereft of speech, and O'Rook stood there,
the picture of benignity, in a corner. What the former would have said
it is impossible to tell, for at that moment there came an impatient
rapping at the door.

"Hurrah! captain, I could not help looking in before the time," cried
Watty Wilkins, "to tell you that Susan's coming after all. The dear
girl--"

He stopped suddenly, and stared at Polly, as if he had applied the term
of endearment to her.

"The ghost of Polly Samson!" he exclaimed, after a breathless pause.

"Nothing of the sort, my boy," said the captain, grasping his little
friend's hand, "but an enlarged and improved edition of Polly Samson,
not yet full-bound, but goin' to be, very soon, by Philosopher Jack."

At that auspicious moment the pastry-cook made his appearance, and
compelled the party to quit the premises. They therefore went for a
stroll while he put things in order. When they returned, it was found
that his wonderful powers had made a change little short of miraculous.
The floor was swept. Chairs had been introduced on the scene. The
table groaned, being weak in the legs, under a surfeit of viands. The
hammock had been removed. The fir