remember, our all is
staked upon the issue."

"And I'll await the hazard of the die," replied Mrs. B., as she kissed
her husband fondly, and dismissed him with a wave of the hand.

When Brandon came down into the hall, he was thunder-struck at meeting
there three persons, whose appearance, after what had just passed up
stairs in the boudoir, might well be considered inopportune. The first
was uncle Richard Watkins, a relative of Mr. Brandon's, who resided in
the country, and had become immensely rich by land speculations, and
the others were Mr. Merton and his son. A pile of baggage announced
that they were not mere callers.

"Give us your hand, Luke," said uncle Richard, extending his enormous
brown palm, "you ain't glad to see me, nor nothin', be you? Brought my
trunk, valise, carpet bag, and hatbox, and cal'late to spend six
weeks here. How's the old woman and the gal--pretty smart? Well,
that's hearty."

The broker shook the old man by the hand, and then turned to welcome
with the best grace he could his friend Merton, and his proposed
son-in-law.

"You know what _we've_ come for," said the elder Merton, with a sly
wink.

"Pray walk into the drawing room," said the broker, and 'on hospitable
thoughts intent,' he threw wide the door, and the party entered.

Ah! unlucky Brandon! why didst thou not summon the French page to
announce thy guests? Thou hadst then been spared a scene that might
have figured in a comedy, and came near furnishing material for a
tragedy.

An elegant young man was kneeling at the feet of an elegant young
lady. The former was Count Alfred de Roseville, the latter Miss Julia
Brandon. The count started to his feet, the young lady blushed and
shrieked. The count was the first to recover his voice and
self-possession. Rushing to the broker, he exclaimed in broken
English,--

"O, my dear monsieur, how I moost glad to see you--your daughter--Mees
Julie--she 'ave say--yais--yais--yais--to my ardent love suit--and now
I have the honneur to salute her respectable papa."

"O, father," said the terrified girl, "it was with mother's knowledge
and consent."

Brandon could not speak a word.

"This lady, sir," said Merton, fiercely, advancing to the count, "is
my affianced bride."

"Your bride--eh?" cried the count, "when she has just come to
say--yais--to my ardent love suit!"

"What does the gal say? what does the gal say?" asked uncle Richard,
interposing.

"Speak, Julia," said her f