to it, and called "The Toper's Arms;" and it was really painful to see the increasing trade driven by each of them. They were both full every night, and often during the day also; and the vigilant, and affectionate, and grieved eye of the good vicar noticed several seats in the church, which had formerly been occupied every Sunday morning and afternoon, to be--empty! In his letters, he considerately sank the grosser features of Titmouse's conduct, which would have only uselessly grieved and disgusted his beloved correspondents. He informed them, however, from time to time, of the different visitors at the Hall, particularly of the arrival and movements of their magnificent kinsfolk, the Earl of Dreddlington and Lady Cecilia, the Marquis Gants-Jaunes de Millefleurs and Mr. Tuft--the novel state and ceremony which had been suddenly introduced there--at which they all ceased reading for a moment, and laughed, well knowing the character of Lord Dreddlington. At length, some considerable time after Mr. Titmouse's grand visitors had been at the Hall, there came a letter from Dr. Tatham, sent by a private hand, and not reaching Vivian Street till the evening, when they were sitting together, after dinner, as usual, and which contained intelligence that was received in sudden silence, and with looks of astonishment; viz. _that Mr. Titmouse had become the acknowledged suitor of the Lady Cecilia_!! Mr. Aubrey, after a moment's pause, laughed more heartily than they had heard him laugh for many months--getting up, at the same time, and walking once or twice across the room--Mrs. Aubrey and Miss Aubrey gazed at each other for a few moments, without speaking a word; and you could not have told whether their fair countenances showed more of amusement or of disgust at the intelligence. "Well! it is as I have often told you, Kate," commenced Mr. Aubrey, after a while resuming his seat, and addressing his sister with an air of good-humored raillery; "you've lost your chance--you've held your head so high. Ah, 'tis all over now--and our fair cousin is mistress of Yatton!" "Indeed, Charles," quoth Kate, earnestly, "I do think it's too painful a subject for a joke." "Why, Kate!--You must bear it as well"---- "Pho, pho--nonsense, Charles! To be serious--did you ever hear anything so shocking as"----