running down my back—“quite a comedy, I do declare, Mr Lorton. I did not think you were so good an actor. Love! Ha, ha, ha!” and she gave forth a merry peal—to my intense enjoyment, you may be sure.

Oh, yes! I enjoyed it, without doubt:—it was dreadfully comical!

“It is no laughing matter to me, Mrs Clyde,” I replied at last, emboldened by her ridicule—“I love Min; and she has promised to marry me, if you will only give your consent, which I have come to ask to-day.”

I got up as I spoke, and faced her.

I was prepared to do battle till the death. Desperation had now made me brave.

“Now, do let us be serious,” said the lady, presently.

She apparently found it difficult to stifle her laughter at the humour of the whole thing:—it was really such a very good joke!

“I am serious, Mrs Clyde,” I said, half-petulantly, although I tried to be impressive. I was solemn enough over it all; but, my temper has always been, unfortunately for me, too easily provoked.

“I never heard of such a thing in my life,” she continued, taking no notice, apparently, either of me or of my answer. “Fancy, any sane person talking of love and marriage between a boy and girl like that! You must be joking, Mr Lorton. Really, it is too absurd to be credible!” and she affected a laugh again, in her provoking way.

A capital joke, wasn’t it?

“I am not joking, I assure you, Mrs Clyde,” I answered sturdily, endeavouring, vainly, to bear down her raillery by my gravity. “I was never more serious in my life. I’m not a boy, Mrs Clyde; and I’m sure Min is old enough to know her own mind, too!”

This was an impertinent addendum on my part; and, my opponent quickly retorted, with a thrust, which recalled my good manners.

“You are very good to say so, Mr Lorton; but permit me to judge best in that matter! Pray, how old are you, Mr Lorton, if I may be allowed to ask the question?”—she said, looking at me with great “society” interest, as if she were examining a specimen of the extinct dodo.

“Three-and-twenty,” I said sententiously, like a catechumen responding to the questions supposed to be addressed to “N or M.”

“Dear me!” she ejaculated in 

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