said Mr Roe, before the agonized Mr Howard
could make any reply. "One of our agents failed, and we seized on his
furniture, and old Bill Wilkins took this'n 'cause of the oak frame.
He was a grocer in the Boro', and his name was--was--but I forgets his
name."

"Who took the furniture?" asked Mr Tinter, "and who was a grocer in
the Boro'?"

"The man as had that picter, and a sight more besides. There's one on
'em; the young 'oman a holding an orange in her hand, and a parrot on
her shoulder."

"I thought that was the Saccharissa, Mr Howard, that had been in your
family ever since the time of Waller."

"I told you he was a wag," said Mr Howard, in the last desperate
struggle to avoid detection.

"But who is he? He is a very impudent old man to be so free."

"He is rich; the succession, you know," replied the gentleman with a
forced laugh; but before he could mumble any thing more, the party
turned round one of the corners of the passage, and heard voices in
earnest talk.

"How can I refuse, when you tell me your happiness depends on it?"
came distinctly to the ears of all, in the sharp clear tones of Miss
Arabel.

"You are too good," replied a voice, which Fanny Smith immediately
recognized as that of Charles. "You will make my whole family proud
and happy when they hear you have consented."

"But won't you think I yield too soon; and without having asked papa's
consent?"

"Ah--yes--I don't know how he will bear the loss of such a treasure.
But he will reconcile himself to the want of it when he knows how
happy it makes another in the possession. Say, when may I call it
mine?"

"Oh, now--this moment--any time"--said Arabel, who had heard a noise
in the passage, and concluded it was aunt Susannah enacting the part
of a witness.

"Again I thank you!"--exclaimed Charles. "I will take it in my arms
this instant, and carry it down the shrubbery walk to Mr Roe's."

"As you please--and wherever you like," said Arabel, throwing herself
upon his shoulder. "I'm your's."

"Why, what in the name of wonder is all this here?" cried Mr Roe,
hurrying on, and pouncing on the pair. "Are you making love to this
here gal in the very presence of Fanny Smith?"

"I, sir?"--said Charles, astonished at his situation, and still
supporting Miss Arabel, who pretended to be in a faint. "I asked this
young lady to show me the picture of my father's mother; and, to my
great delight, she said she would give it me; and, when I expre