of Lucy Ashton, radiant, smiling, beautiful as of old. "I thought you wouldn't forget me quite," she said, and held out her hand. "I was an ass--a fool!" I began. "But you have grown wiser now?" she enquired. "Yes, wise enough to despise balls, Jeekses, officers--and throw myself at once and for ever at the feet of Lucy Ashton." "What will Betsy Juffles say?" "I hope she'll say _yes_." "Well, perhaps I may answer for her--I don't see what right _she_ has to object to any thing that pleases _me_." "She's a charming girl, and I hope you will be guided by her in every thing." "Such as?"--she asked with a smile that made us feel we had never quarreled, never parted, but were at home in the Wilderness. I need not tell the answer. I had got quit of my bashfulness on the subject of Gretna Green and postchaises with a vengeance; and then and there I suggested a trip to that delectable region, and scorned all the objections she attempted to make about our respective fathers, and family quarrels, and all the chimeras that disappear before the breath of true love like mists before the sun. We met every day for a week, and I so surprisingly improved in eloquence, that I should certainly have forced my way to the woolsack if I had employed one half of it at the bar. At all events, I succeeded in my object with Lucy Ashton so far, that she agreed to accept me for better or worse; and then, for the first time, it occurred to me, I ought to make my father acquainted with the great step I intended to take in prosecution of my legal studies. "Ah, Edgar, don't write letters! half an hour's conversation will explain every thing better than twenty reams of paper. Go down to Rayleigh, and tell him all." "All what? you forget I have nothing to tell." "Tell him you are resolved to marry a girl who will make you happy." "And your family?" I said; "he can't endure the very name of Juffles." "Say nothing about them. Ask leave for me to go down and see him: I feel sure he will like me, and forgive you all." I resolved to obey; and with infinite regret tore myself away, and seated myself in the railway carriage. I was only to be absent two days; but two days in such circumstances are a century. The bell rang, the train began imperceptibly to move, when two tardy passengers jumped into the coach; and in the first I recognised my friend, young Mr Jeeks. If I had had it in my power, I would have left the carriage; for I was in no frame of mind to be pestered by a popinjay. "Goodness me! how odd!" he said; "Quite a family party this is. My cousin Mr Rayleigh, Mr Shookers--Mr Shookers, my cousin Mr Rayleigh. It's quite pleasant to be among one's relations."