ocket, on the inside
of which are the arms of his family, with his father's name underneath
them."

Spikeman presented the book. Melissa read the name, and then laid it on
the bench, without saying a word.

"And now, Miss Mathews, as I have shown you that the gentleman has no
wish to conceal who he is, may I venture to hope that you will permit me
to plead occasionally, when I may see you, in his behalf."

"I know not what to say, Master Tinker. I consider it a measure fraught
with some danger, both to the gentleman and to myself. You have quoted
Shakespeare--allow me now to do the same:--

"`Friendship is constant in all other things
Save in the affairs and offices of love,
Therefore all hearts use your own tongues.'

"You observe, Master Tinker, that there is the danger of your pleading
for yourself, and not for your client; and there is also the danger of
my being insensibly moved to listen to the addresses of a tinker. Now,
only reflect upon the awful consequences," continued Melissa, smiling.

"I pledge you my honour, Miss Mathews, that I will only plead for the
person whose name you have read in the book, and that you shall never be
humiliated by the importunities of a mender of pots and pans."

"You pledge the honour of a tinker; what may that be worth?"

"A tinker that has the honour of conversing with Miss Mathews, has an
honour that cannot be too highly appreciated."

"Well, that is very polite for a mender of old kettles; but the
schoolmaster is abroad, which, I presume, accounts for such strange
anomalies as our present conversation. I must now wish you good
morning."

"When may I have the honour of again presenting myself in behalf of the
poor gentleman?"

"I can really make no appointments with tinkers," replied Melissa; "if
you personate that young man, you must be content to wait for days or
months to catch a glimpse of the hem of my garment; to bay the moon and
bless the stars, and I do not know what else. It is, in short, catch me
when you can; and now farewell, good Master Tinker," replied Melissa,
leaving her own book, and taking the one Spikeman had put into her hand,
which she carried with her to the house. It was all up with Miss
Melissa Mathews, that was clear.

We shall pass over a fortnight, during which Spikeman, at first every
other day, and subsequently every day or evening, had a meeting with
Melissa, in every one of which he pleaded his cause in the third person