chief mourners. Overcome by his affliction, Mr. Wood had retired to his own room, where he had just summoned Thames. Much to her annoyance, therefore, Winifred was left alone with the woollen-draper, who, following up a maxim of his own, that "nothing was gained by too much bashfulness," determined to profit by the opportunity. He had only been prevented, indeed, by a fear of Mrs. Wood from pressing his suit long ago. This obstacle removed, he thought he might now make the attempt. Happen what might, he could not be in a

worse position.

"We have had a sad loss, my dear Winifred," he began,—“for I must use the privilege of an old friend, and address you by that familiar name, we have had a sad loss in the death of your lamented parent, whose memory I shall for ever revere."

Winifred's eyes filled with tears. This was not exactly what the woollen-draper desired. So he resolved to try another tack.

"What a very remarkable thing it is," he observed, applying to his snuff-box, "that Thames Darrell, whom we all supposed dead,"-Kneebone in his heart sincerely wished he had been so,—“ should turn out to be alive after all. Strange, I shouldn't know him when he called on me."

"It is strange," replied Winifred, artlessly. "I knew him at once."

"Of course," rejoined Kneebone, a little maliciously; "but that's easily accounted for. May I be permitted, as a very old and very dear friend of your lamented parent, whose loss I shall ever deplore, to ask you one question ?"

"Undoubtedly," replied Winifred.

"And you will answer it frankly?" "Certainly."

"Now for it," thought the woollen-draper. "I shall, at least, ascertain how the land lies.-Well, then, my dear," he added aloud, "do you still entertain the strong attachment you did to Captain Darrell ?" Winifred's cheeks glowed with blushes, and fixing her eyes, which flashed with resentment, upon the questioner, she said,

"I have promised to answer your question, and I will do so. I love him as a brother."

"Only as a brother?" persisted Kneebone.

If Winifred remained silent, her looks would have disarmed a person of less assurance than the woollen-draper.

," he Were Cap

"If you knew how much importance I attach to your answer,' continued, passionately, "you would not refuse me one. tain Darrell to offer you his hand, would you accept it?" "Your impertinence deserves very different treatment, sir," said Winifred; but, to put an end to this annoyance, I will tell you-I would not."

66

"And why not?" asked Kneebone, eagerly.

"I will not submit to be thus interrogated," said Winifred, angrily. "In the name of your lamented parent, whose memory I shall for ever revere, I implore you to answer me," urged Kneebone, "whywhy would you not accept him?"

"Because our positions are different," replied Winifred, who could not resist this appeal to her feelings.

"You are a paragon of prudence and discretion," rejoined the woollen-draper, drawing his chair closer to hers. "Disparity of rank is ever productive of unhappiness in the married state. When Captain Darrell's birth is ascertained, I've no doubt he'll turn out a nobleman's son. At least I hope so, for his sake, as well as my own," he added, mentally. "He has quite the air of one. And now, my angel, that I am acquainted with your sentiments on this subject, I shall readily fulfil a promise which I made to your lamented parent, whose loss I shall ever deplore."

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"A promise to my mother?" said Winifred, unsuspiciously.

"Yes, my angel, to her-rest her soul! She extorted it from me, and bound me by a solemn oath to fulfil it."

"Oh! name it."

"You are a party concerned. Promise me that you will not disobey the injunctions of her whose memory we must both of us ever revere. Promise me."

"If in my power-certainly. But, what is it? What did you promise?"

"To offer you my heart, my hand, my life," replied Kneebone, falling at her feet.

"Sir!" exclaimed Winifred, rising.

"Inequality of rank can be no bar to our union," continued Kneebone. "Heaven be praised, I am not the son of a nobleman."

In spite of her displeasure, Winifred could not help smiling at the absurdity of this address. Taking this for encouragement, her suitor proceeded still more extravagantly. Seizing her hand, he covered it

with kisses.

"Adorable girl!" he cried, in the most impassioned tone, and with the most impassioned look he could command. "Adorable girl, I have long loved you to desperation. Your lamented mother, whose loss I shall ever deplore, perceived my passion, and encouraged it. Would she were alive to back my suit!"

"This is beyond all endurance," said Winifred, striving to with. draw her hand. "Leave me, sir; I insist."

"Never!" rejoined Kneebone, with increased ardour,-" never, till I receive from your own lips the answer which is to make me the hap. piest or the most miserable of mankind. Hear me, adorable girl! You know not the extent of my devotion. No mercenary consideration influences me. Love-admiration for your matchless beauty