e bell, and Jonathan made his appearance.

'What is all this, Jonathan?' said he; 'cook angry--Mary crying--both
going away--what's it all about?'

'Why, sir, they were told by William that it was your positive order
that the two black people were to sleep with them; and I believe he told
Mary that the man was to sleep with her.'

'Confound that fellow! he's always at mischief; you know, Jonathan, I
never meant that.'

'I thought not, sir, as it is quite contrary to custom,' replied
Jonathan.

'Well then, tell them so, and let's hear no more about it.'

Mr. Witherington then entered into a consultation with his butler, and
acceded to the arrangements proposed by him. The parties arrived in due
time, and were properly accommodated. Master Edward was not troubled
with the stomach-ache, neither did he wake Mr. Witherington at five
o'clock in the morning; and, after all, it was not very uncomfortable.
But, although things were not quite so uncomfortable as Mr. Witherington
had anticipated, still they were not comfortable; and Mr. Witherington
was so annoyed by continual skirmishes with his servants, complaints
from Judy, in bad English, of the cook, who, it must be owned, had taken
a prejudice against her and Coco, occasional illness of the child, _et
caetera_, that he found his house no longer quiet and peaceable. Three
months had now nearly passed, and no tidings of the boats had been
received; and Captain Maxwell, who came up to see Mr. Witherington, gave
it as his decided opinion that they must have foundered in the gale. As,
therefore, there appeared to be no chance of Mrs. Templemore coming to
take care of her child, Mr. Witherington at last resolved to write to
Bath, where his sister resided, and acquaint her with the whole story,
requesting her to come and superintend his domestic concerns. A few days
afterwards he received the following reply:--

'BATH, _August_.

'MY DEAR BROTHER ANTONY--Your letter arrived safe to hand on
Wednesday last, and I must say that I was not a little surprised at
its contents; indeed, I thought so much about it that I revoked at
Lady Betty Blabkin's whist-party, and lost four shillings and
sixpence. You say that you have a child at your house belonging to
your cousin, who married in so indecorous a manner. I hope what you
say is true; but, at the same time, I know what bachelors are
g