chose to tell. So matters went on for a time. At last, one
fine day Mr. Howlet was seen to drive up to the Hall, and take in with
him a large document. The whole village was astir: something must be
going on, every one said; and within two days it was known that the
document in question was a marriage-settlement, and that the wedding of
Lady Rooke and young Mr. Gamecock was to take place in the following
week.

Alas, for the uncertainty of this world! No sooner did the news of the
approaching marriage reach the ears of Mrs. Partlett and her
daughters--the aunt and cousins of Mr. Gamecock--than they vowed it
should never be. It appears that Mr. Gamecock had long been affianced to
Miss Hennie Partlett, and the news of his desertion so preyed on her
delicate constitution, that she pined away and lost all her good looks.
Fired at the indignity offered to his family, her brother Redcomb sought
his opportunity, met Mr. Gamecock as he was crossing the lawn in front
of Rookwood Hall, and challenged him to mortal combat. Gamecock, in
haste to visit his betrothed, passed on without heeding his adversary;
but the valiant Redcomb flew at him, and with one stroke beat him to the
earth. Gamecock rose, shook himself, and attacked Redcomb with such
impetuosity, that at first he retreated; but, collecting his strength,
he returned to the attack, and Gamecock again bit the dust. Lady Rooke
was sitting by a window, watching for the arrival of her lover, whence
she saw the whole of this deadly contest. At Gamecock's second fall she
flew to his rescue, and arrived just as a fresh battle was begun. Urged
by her fears for her beloved, her Ladyship threw herself between the
combatants; but it was at a most unlucky moment, for a blow from Redcomb
struck her on the temples, and she fell senseless between them. The
combatants forgot their quarrel, and carried the poor lady into the
room; a messenger was despatched for Dr. Stork, but before he could
arrive, her Ladyship had breathed her last.

* * * * *

Rookwood Hall passed into another family of the Rookes, distantly
related; and after two years dallying, Miss Hennie Partlett, forgetting
former grievances, became Mrs. Gamecock, and Redcomb gave her away.

[Illustration: MR. TRUNK AND HIS ADVISERS.]

CITY PEOPLE.

MR. TRUNK, the great East India merchant, is an individual of immense
weight in the City. Wherever he appears the crowd make way for him, a