his aunt's servant, and
Keene was his valet, so that the disparity was not so very great. He
then intimated that he had long perceived the growing attachment; talked
of the danger of young people being left so much together; hinted about
opportunity, and descanted upon morals and propriety. The Honourable
Miss Delmar was softened down by the dexterous reasoning of her nephew;
she was delighted to find so much virtue extant in a sailor; and, after
an hour's conversation, the married couple were sent for, graciously
pardoned, and Mrs Keene, after receiving a very tedious lecture,
received a very handsome present. But if her mistress was appeased,
Mrs Keene's mother was not. As soon as the intelligence was received,
old Mrs Mason set off for Madeline Hall. She first had a closeted
interview with her daughter, and then with Captain Delmar, and as soon
as the latter was over, she immediately took her departure, without
paying her respects to the mistress of the Hall, or exchanging one word
with any of the servants; this conduct gave occasion to more
innuendoes--some indeed ascribed her conduct to mortification at her
daughter's having made so imprudent a match, but others exchanged very
significant glances.

Three weeks after the marriage, the Parliament having been prorogued,
the admiral of the port considered that he was justified in ordering the
frigate out on a cruise. Ben Keene, of course accompanied his master,
and it was not until three months had passed away that the frigate
returned into port. As usual, the Honourable Captain Delmar, as soon as
he had paid his respects to the admiral, set off to visit his aunt,
accompanied by his benedict marine. On his arrival, he found that
everything appeared to be in great confusion; indeed an event was
occurring which had astonished the whole household; the butler made a
profound bow to the captain; the footmen forgot their usual smirk when
he alighted. Captain Delmar was ushered in solemn silence into the
drawing-room, and his aunt, who had notice of his arrival received him
with a stiff, prim air of unwonted frigidity, with her arms crossed
before her on her white muslin apron.

"My dear aunt," said Captain Delmar, as she coldly took his proffered
hand, "what is the matter?"

"The matter is this, nephew," replied the old lady--"that marriage of
your marine and Bella Mason should have taken place six months sooner
than it did. This is a wicked world, nephew; and s