e whole suburb.
Besides, he really had mentioned no names:--the allusion to Min, had
been as much my suggestion as his; so, I tried to be affable with him
before we parted. "I'll try and come to-morrow, Shuffler, if that will
do as well, to look at the things you want me," I said, more cordially
than I had previously spoken to him.

"All right, sir," he replied, all beaming once more, with _the_ eye as
jovial as ever. "That'll suit me jest as well, sir; and I'm very much
obleeged, too, I'm sure."

He, thereupon and then, waddled off on his mission of beating down
opposition brokers; while I paced along sadly, thinking about the news I
had just heard.

I was going to call on Lady Dasher, who would be able to confirm it, or
settle that it was a mere idle report; consequently, I would not have to
remain long in suspense.

I would soon know the truth, one way or the other.

Prior, however, to my reaching this haven of rumour, I met little Miss
Pimpernell. She was trotting along, with a basket on her arm, according
to her usual wont when district visiting.

"Hi! Frank," she exclaimed, on seeing me. "What is the matter with you
now? Why, my dear boy, you've got a face as long as my arm, and look
the picture of misery!"

"Oh, I've just heard something that surprised me," I said. "I've been
told that Mr Mawley is going to get married."

"Well, that's news to me," she said. "I haven't heard it before. But
what if he _is_ going to be married--are you so sorry on his account, or
for the lady?" she continued, in a bantering tone--she always liked a
bit of a joke--"I never thought you took such an interest in Mr
Mawley!"

"I'm sure I don't know," I said. "It has surprised me, that's all."

"_So_ it has me, Frank," said she. "Who told you?"

"I don't know whether I ought to tell, Miss Pimpernell," I replied,
hesitatingly. "It was disclosed to me in confidence, and--"

"No matter, no matter, my clear boy," said the old lady briskly. "Then
you ought _not_ to tell me. But, at the same time, Frank, I don't
believe a word of it! If Mr Mawley had been meditating anything of the
sort, _I_ would have been his first confidante! I don't think there's a
word of truth in it, Frank, no matter who your informant was. I daresay
the rumour has got about just because he has taken a house, which he can
very well afford, having got tired of living in lodgings; and small
blame to him, say I! He's no more going to get mar