"`I have had one to-day,' thought William, and was almost at fault. `I shall be most thankful, sir--they sell horse-flesh by the ounce now-a-days.' "`And you pay in pounds. There, William.' "`Thank you, sir, I'm all obedience; and I'll keep my word, even if there should be a comet. I'll go and buy the horse, and then I shall be ready to take the ring-fence as soon as you please.' "`Yes, and you'll get over it cleverly, I've no doubt. Five thousand acres, William, and--a pretty wife!' "`Have you any further commands, uncle?' said William, depositing the cheque in his pocket-book. "`None, my dear boy: are you going?' "`Yes, sir; I dine at the Clarendon.' "`Well, then, good-bye. Make my compliments and excuses to your friend Seagrove. You will come on Tuesday or Wednesday.' "Thus was concluded the marriage between William Ponsonby and Emily Percival, and the junction of the two estates, which formed together the great desideratum--_five thousand acres in a ring-fence_." Mr Seagrove finished, and he looked round for approbation. "Very good, indeed, Seagrove," said his lordship; "you must take a glass of wine after that." "I would not give much for Miss Percival's chance of happiness," observed the elder Miss Ossulton. "Of two evils choose the least, they say," observed Mr Hautaine. "Poor Ponsonby could not help himself." "That's a very polite observation of yours, Mr Hautaine--I thank you in the name of the sex," replied Cecilia Ossulton. "Nay, Miss Ossulton; would you like to marry a person whom you never saw?" "Most certainly not; but when you mentioned the two evils, Mr Hautaine, I appeal to your honour, did you not refer to marriage or beggary?" "I must confess it, Miss Ossulton; but it is hardly fair to call on my honour to get me into a scrape." "I only wish that the offer had been made to me," observed Vaughan; "I should not have hesitated as Ponsonby did." "Then I beg you will not think of proposing for me," said Mrs Lascelles, laughing; for Mr Vaughan had been excessively attentive. "It appears to me, Vaughan," observed Seagrove, "that you have slightly committed yourself by that remark." Vaughan, who thought so too, replied: "Mrs Lascelles must be aware that I was only joking." "Fie! Mr Vaughan," cried Cecilia Ossulton; "you know it came from your heart." "My dear Cecilia," said the elder Miss Ossulton, "you forget yourself-- what can you possibly know about gentlemen's hearts?" "The Bible says that they are `deceitful and desperately wicked,' aunt." "And cannot we also quote the Bible against your sex, Miss Ossulton?" replied Seagrove. "Yes, you could, perhaps, if any of you had ever read it," replied Miss Ossulton, carelessly. "Upon my word, Cissy, you are throwing the gauntlet down to the gentlemen," observed Lord B---; "but I shall throw my warder down, and not permit this combat _a l'outrance_.--I perceive you drink no more wine, gentlemen, we will take our coffee on deck."