set off on their journey of happiness. The earl led down Lady Cecilia, followed by Titmouse, who had exchanged his hat for a gaudy travelling-cap, with a gold band round it! Lady Cecilia, with drooping head and feeble step, suffered the earl, whom she kissed fervently, to place her in the chariot, when she burst into a flood of tears. Then Mr. Titmouse shook hands cordially with his distinguished father-in-law--popped into the chariot--the steps were doubled up--the door closed--the side-blinds were drawn down by Mr. Titmouse; "All's right!" cried one of the servants, and away rolled the carriage-and-four, which, quickening its speed, was soon out of sight. Lady Cecilia remained in a sort of stupor for some time, and sat silent and motionless in the corner of the chariot; but Titmouse had now become lively enough, having had the benefit of some dozen glasses of champagne. "Ah, my lovely gal--dearest gal of my heart!" he exclaimed fondly, at the same time kissing her cold cheeks, and putting his arm round her waist--"Now you're all my own! 'pon my soul, isn't it funny, though? We're man and wife! By Jove, I never loved you so much as now, ducky! eh?" Again he pressed his lips to her cold cheek. "Don't, don't, I beg," said she, faintly, "I'm not well;" and she feebly tried to disengage herself from his rude and boisterous embrace: while her drooping head and ashy cheek fully corroborated the truth of her statement. In this state she continued for the whole of the first stage. When they stopped to change horses, says Titmouse, starting up--having very nearly dropped asleep--"Cicely, as you're so uncommon ill, hadn't you better have your maid in, and I'll sit on the box?--it would be a devilish deal more comfortable for you--eh?" "Oh, I should feel _so_ obliged if you would, Mr. Titmouse!" she replied faintly. It was done as she wished. Titmouse enveloped himself in his cloak; and, having lit a cigar, mounted the box, and smoked all the way till they reached the Hall! Gammon was one of those who had seen them set off on their auspicious journey. He contemplated them with deep interest and anxiety. "Well," he exclaimed, walking away, with a deep sigh, when the carriage had got out of sight--"So far, _so good_: Heavens! the plot thickens, and the game is bold!" Were you, oh unhappy Lady Cecilia! in entering into this ill-omened union, to be more pitied or despised? 'T was, alas! most _deliberately_ done; in fact, we have already had laid before us ample means of determining the question--but 't is a delicate and painful one, and had perhaps be better left alone.