_Edwin._ "Precisely so, dear. Put it with the other things." _Emma._ "Oh, what dear funny chairs." _Shopman._ "They're the latest discovery in Gothic manufactures; copied from a rare hieroglyphic on the tomb of Cheops. The Earl of Peckham has six dozen exactly similar." [Illustration: An Art Toilet-table. ] _Edwin._ "Very peculiar—they will do for the hall. What is this, pray? It looks like a cross between an altar and a sideboard." _Shopman._ "Excuse me, sir, that is a washing-stand—the only one of the kind. It was made for the Grand Duke Skrubisknosklenoff, but his lamented death has left it on our hands. We can let you have it a great bargain." _Emma_ (ecstatically). "Oh, darling Edwin, do have it, dear." _Shopman._ "Thank you, sir. Here is a dressing-table, madam, that will just match with it. It was made from a design of Lord Waltzaghane, one of the first masters in point of art of the Young England School, and is universally admired. May I include it with the other articles, sir? I'm sure you'll like it." _Edwin._ "Very well, then; but that's enough. Come away, Emmy." _Emma._ "Oh, stop one minute—look here—did you ever? Isn't it elegant? What is it, pray?" _Shopman._ "Why, ma'am, that is a clothes-horse, made from a drawing of Edwin Landseer's. Prince Albert has the companion to it." _Emma._ "Oh, do buy it, Edwin; I wont ask you for anything else, indeed." _Edwin._ "Very well, then; but mind, it's to be the last." They take arms, and are about to leave the tempting shop, when Emma's attention is suddenly drawn by a curious mug, at which she cannot help laughing. _Emma._ "Oh! what is this, pray?" [Illustration: An Art-Teapot. ] _Shopman._ "That, madam, is a teapot, designed after a popular pattern, very generally known amongst the Ethiopians under the name of the 'blackman's teapot.' It is universally admired." _Edwin._ "I think it very ugly." _Emma._ "How can you, Edwin! Why, I think it so very _distingué_. I must have it; do buy it, there's a dear." _Edwin._ "Now, come along, darling—I'm in a hurry." _Emma._ "Well, if you wont, I will—I'll buy it myself, and make you a present of it, Edwin." _Edwin._ "Psha! that's nonsense, child." Edwin and Emma leave at last, and after dinner, when they are happy in assuring each other for the ten thousandth time that "they never knew what love was before," the new purchases arrive, and the bill is brought in. The future husband reads out the following bill £ _s._ _d._ To a beautiful historical Louis Quatorze French 35 0 0 bedstead, designed by Chalon (very cheap) To one Egyptian clothes-horse, the favourite design of 15 10 0 Edwin Landseer To one "blackman's teapot," in the very best superfine 7 2 4½ wedgwood (a rich curiosity) To a magnificent blind—a pure Corbould 40 10 0