ur part handsomely I'll guarantee
you shall have them."

"You are a good soul." Then, after a pause, "Now just you tell me
exactly what you want me to do for all this."

Oldfield was pleased with this question. He said, "I wish you to
abstain from writing to Sir Charles, and him to visit you only once
more before his marriage, just to shake hands and part, with mutual
friendship and good wishes."

"You are right," said she, softly; "best for us both, and only fair to
the girl." Then, with sudden and eager curiosity, "Is she very pretty?"

"I don't know."

"What, hasn't he told you?"

"He says she is lovely, and every way adorable; but then he is in love.
The chances are she is not half so handsome as yourself."

"And yet he is in love with her?"

"Over head and ears."

"I don't believe it. If he was really in love with one woman he
couldn't be just to another. _I_ couldn't. He'll be coming back to me
in a few months."

"God forbid!"

"Thank you, old gentleman."

Mr. Oldfield began to stammer excuses. She interrupted him: "Oh, bother
all that; I like you none the worse for speaking your mind." Then,
after a pause, "Now excuse me; but suppose Sir Charles should change
his mind, and never sign this paper?"

"I pledge my professional credit."

"That is enough, sir; I see I can trust you. Well, then, I consent to
break off with Sir Charles, and only see him once more--as a friend.
Poor Sir Charles! I hope he will be happy" (she squeezed out a tear for
him)--"happier than I am. And when he does come he can sign the deed,
you know."

Mr. Oldfield left her, and joined Sir Charles at Long's, as had been
previously agreed.

"It is all right, Sir Charles; she is a sensible girl, and will give
you no further trouble."

"How did you get over the hysterics?"

"We dispensed with them. She saw at once it was to be business, not
sentiment. You are to pay her one more visit, to sign, and part
friends. If you please, I'll make that appointment with both parties,
as soon as the deed is engrossed. Oh, by-the-by, she did shed a tear or
two, but she dried them to ask me for the ponies and the brown mare."

Sir Charles's vanity was mortified. But he laughed it off, and said she
should have them, of course.

So now his mind was at ease, his conscience was at rest, and he could
give his whole time where he had given his heart.

Richard Bassett learned, through his servant, that the wedding-dresses
were ordered. He c