she would frequently appeal to Mr. Philip for his judgment, and ask him if he did not really think Mr. Tippetson was a "nice young man." There were many other nice men and nice women to whom Miss Sampson did contrive to introduce to her destined spouse. Being in violent good-humor and high spirits; her weakness of mind and natural folly were rendered more decidedly conspicuous; while, on the other hand, Philip being in low spirits was more observant of, and more annoyed by, these petty vexations. Philip never entertained a very high opinion of Miss Sampson, though he did not think her to be an absolute simpleton; but his opinion of the agreeableness of her manners and the soundness of her understanding, considerably abated on the formation of that acquaintance with her which was destined to lead to matrimony. We have hinted at the awkwardness which Mr. Philip felt on the subject of the marriage-settlement; very happily however for him, Sir Gilbert Sampson was very prompt and liberal on the occasion. Not suspecting the use to which the money was devoted, he was liberal even to Philip's most sanguine expectations. Sir Gilbert, though a man of ambition, and though pleased with the title to which his daughter would be advanced, was not weak enough to suppose that Philip Martindale or any other person of rank would marry the daughter for any other than substantial reasons. He was well satisfied that Philip must be in want of money, and therefore, with a very proper and becoming spirit, paid handsomely for the honor to which Miss Sampson was advanced. This event naturally put Mr. Philip into better spirits; and though he had at first been somewhat desirous of postponing the marriage till the season was nearly over in town, yet now as the purse of the city knight seemed to open so freely, he thought it most advisable to make speedy use of the means which it offered him for getting rid of his mortifying encumbrances. Resolving therefore to take the earliest opportunity of bringing the negotiation to a close, he of course made it a business to inform Mr. John Martindale, with regular formality, of his intention of honoring Miss Sampson by conferring upon her the style and title of the Hon. Mrs. Martindale. To communicate a simple fact to a plain straight-forward man might seem a very easy task, but it was, at all events, to Mr. Philip, not a pleasant task. He anticipated unpleasant observations, and perhaps some allusion to Mr. Isaac Solomons, junior, of St. Mary Axe, and perhaps also some allusions to others of that nation; but still it was absolutely impossible to avoid mentioning the affair. Very soon, therefore, after Sir Gilbert had given his consent, or to speak more accurately, had expressed his approbation, and signified his satisfaction at the prospect of the marriage, Mr. Philip Martindale ventured one morning, when his cousin and he were together, and no one else in the apartment, to say in a somewhat subdued and sheepish manner: