well, who knows but what I may be induced to remember you in my will!'
continued he, putting his fingers to his nose, with a knowing wink.

'Thanks, uncle, for that and all your kindness,' replied I.

'Well, and I questioned this young spark on the matter of settlements,'
continued he; 'and he seemed disposed to be generous enough on that
point--'

'I knew he would!' said I. 'But pray don't trouble your head--or his, or
mine about that; for all I have will be his, and all he has will be mine;
and what more could either of us require?' And I was about to make my
exit, but he called me back.

'Stop, stop!' cried he; 'we haven't mentioned the time yet. When must it
be? Your aunt would put it off till the Lord knows when, but he is
anxious to be bound as soon as may be: he won't hear of waiting beyond
next month; and you, I guess, will be of the same mind, so--'

'Not at all, uncle; on the contrary, I should like to wait till after
Christmas, at least.'

'Oh! pooh, pooh! never tell me that tale--I know better,' cried he; and
he persisted in his incredulity. Nevertheless, it is quite true. I am
in no hurry at all. How can I be, when I think of the momentous change
that awaits me, and of all I have to leave? It is happiness enough to
know that we are to be united; and that he really loves me, and I may
love him as devotedly, and think of him as often as I please. However, I
insisted upon consulting my aunt about the time of the wedding, for I
determined her counsels should not be utterly disregarded; and no
conclusions on that particular are come to yet.

CHAPTER XXI

October 1st.--All is settled now. My father has given his consent, and
the time is fixed for Christmas, by a sort of compromise between the
respective advocates for hurry and delay. Milicent Hargrave is to be one
bridesmaid and Annabella Wilmot the other--not that I am particularly
fond of the latter, but she is an intimate of the family, and I have not
another friend.

When I told Milicent of my engagement, she rather provoked me by her
manner of taking it. After staring a moment in mute surprise, she
said,--'Well, Helen, I suppose I ought to congratulate you--and I am glad
to see you so happy; but I did not think you would take him; and I can't
help feeling surprised that you should like him so much.'

'Why so?'

'Because you are so superior to him in every way, and there's something
so bold and reckless about him--so, I don'