"_Mother! Mother!_ hear me," cries _Prue_, casting her Arms across my _Mother's_ knees and looking up at her. "We parted at the Church-door,--House-door, I mean; we knew we were only engaged; we did not look on it as a regular Marriage,--only as binding us together a little--it was the Thought of a Moment--_Tom_ proposed it first--" "I suppose so," said my _Mother_, with a Tone of infinite Scorn; "but I little thought that a Daughter of mine could be so persuaded. Oh _Prue, Prue_! I never could have believed it of you! No Wonder you have gone about sighing and hanging your Head--it has been your only Act of Grace." _Prue_, humiliated beyond Expression at these Reproaches, was crying silently--"Don't tell my _Father_," at length said she. "Certainly I shall not," said my _Mother_, still chafed. "I should be quite ashamed of mentioning such a disgraceful Transaction to him--worthier of a _Wapping_ Sailor than of his Brother's Son--Mate to a respectable Merchant Vessel. A Thing only done by the Lowest of the Low--" "And a few of the Highest of the High," put in I. "Who thereby reduce themselves to an ignominious Level with the Lowest of the Low," persisted my _Mother_. "It ought to be put down by Act of Parliament! It _will_ shortly, I understand from Dr. _Elwes_, who was speaking of the Abuse a little While ago, little thinking that a Culprit stood in his Presence. I never could have believed it of _Tom_! never have supposed that he could so abuse a Mother's Confidence, and sail off, leaving Dissimulation and Discord behind him--he that used to say 'he couldn't bear to put People to the least Inconvenience!'" At the Recurrence to this old Catch-Word of his, _Prue_ and I could neither of us help bursting out laughing. My _Mother_, quite against her Will, was obliged to laugh too. At this Moment, the Door opened; and who should come in but _Gatty_! I sprang towards her, while _Prue_, with a brief Word in passing, took the Opportunity to escape. "Are you not afraid of coming near me?" said _Gatty_ smiling, as I kissed her. "Oh no! _Our_ Time came long ago; no Danger of Infection here! But, dear _Gatty_, we have been in such Suspense about you! Have you not been ill?" "No, I have been mercifully preserved--_James_ told me you had sent to inquire how I was getting on; and as Lady _Betty_ is a good deal softened towards me just now, I had not much Difficulty in prevailing with her to let me come out for a few Hours, and I thought I would put your Fears at rest by coming to you." Finding she could stay, we made her remove her damp Cloak and Calash, and take an early Dish of Tea with us. We had a long Fireside Chat; and my _Mother_ at length going up to my _Father_, who had slept long, _Gatty_ became more unreserved with me, and I soon drew from her all that had happened.