* * * * * So, portent-like, would I o'ersway his state That he should be my fool, and I his fate. LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST. "You are not going away on Saturday," said Harriet the next morning to Margaret, who was sitting with a letter in her hand, "do not think it. I have made up my mind that you spend Christmas here." "Rather hard upon Miss Capel," said Mr. Gage, "considering that _you_ will not be here at Christmas." "Well, I don't know where I am likely to be, if not here," said Harriet; "I think there is some derangement in that family," she added, indicating Mr. Gage by a movement of her head:--"He is like the man in 'Nicholas Nickleby,' he insists upon marrying people, and I am his present object; it will go off, you know. Your turn will come next, Margaret, my dear." "You are so provoking, Harriet," said Margaret, trying in vain to look grave. "But why should you go back to this Mrs. Fitzpatrick?" said Harriet. "Because she is so lonely, Harriet. I told you she had lost her daughter; and I have already been here a long time." "But supposing we are both foolish enough to keep in the same mind, and marry on the 18th, I shall want you to be bridesmaid," said Harriet. "I would, gladly," said Margaret, "but I know Mrs. Fitzpatrick really wants me; and I decide in her favour, because you are happy and well, and she is so desolate alone." "It would give us both so much pleasure if you could stay," said Mr. Gage lowering his newspaper. "I wonder who he includes so familiarly with himself," said Harriet, "I think it must be Thompson; he is very intimate with his groom. Won't you stay to oblige Thompson?" Margaret laughing, protested "that she really could not." Mr. Gage wondered how Harriet could be so ridiculous. "Thompson and Charlotte are forgiven for the present," said Harriet. "I wondered what made George so very lenient; it seems that he had it in view to commit a similar folly, and that reminds me I must learn to smoke again." "Oh! do not, Harriet." "My dear, it is in self-defence; unless, indeed, I break off the match. He lives in a barrack. I dare say his room is not half the size of my uncle's kennel: there he sits with all his intimate friends, smoking till the place is like a lime kiln; if I cannot join them, what is to become of me? Mr. Gage, have you a cigar about you? I will lose no time in learning the art again." Mr. Gage not noticing the last part of the speech, said "he did not suppose it to be a very likely thing that he should permit his wife to live in a barrack."