“O’Malley, my friend, and you, Mr. Sparks; I must have a word with you, boys, before we part.” “Here let it be, then, Major,” said I, holding his arm as he turned to leave the room,--“here, now; we are all so deeply interested, no place is so fit.” “Well, then,” said the major, “as you desire it, now that I’m to regard you both in the light of my sons-in-law,--at least, as pledged to become so,--it is only fair as respects--” “I see,--I understand perfectly,” interrupted I, whose passion for conducting the whole affair myself was gradually gaining on me. “What you mean is, that we should make known our intentions before some mutual friends ere we part; eh, Sparks? eh, Major?” “Right, my boy,--right on every point.” “Well, then, I thought of all that; and if you’ll just send your servant over to my quarters for our captain,--he’s the fittest person, you know, at such a time--” “How considerate!” said Mrs. Dalrymple. “How perfectly just his idea is!” said the major. “We’ll then, in his presence, avow our present and unalterable determination as regards your fair daughters; and as the time is short--” Here I turned towards Matilda, who placed her arm within mine; Sparks possessed himself of Fanny’s hand, while the major and his wife consulted for a few seconds. “Well, O’Malley, all you propose is perfect. Now, then, for the captain. Who shall he inquire for?” [Illustration: CHARLES POPS THE QUESTION.] “Oh, an old friend of yours,” said I, jocularly; “you’ll be glad to see him.” “Indeed!” said all together. “Oh, yes, quite a surprise, I’ll warrant it.” “Who can it be? Who on earth is it?” “You can’t guess,” added I, with a very knowing look. “Knew you at Corfu; a very intimate friend, indeed, if he tell the truth.” A look of something like embarrassment passed around the circle at these words, while I, wishing to end the mystery, resumed:-- “Come, then, who can be so proper for all parties, at a moment like this, as our mutual friend Captain Power?”