changed her habits. I believe, young lady, I had better reserve my inquiries till I have the honour and pleasure of speaking personally with your father, or perhaps your brother. Is he at home?"— "I think he is, Sir."

Miss Walker rang the bell. "Is Mr. Edmund at home?"-" Yes, madam." "Will you say a gentleman wishes to speak with him?" Fanny sat playing with her children, and at last said, "I believe, Sir, I think, Sir, I know a very nice girl who will be very glad to hear that I have seen you, and seen you well-Esther Humphries."-"Ah, then I am right; it is Mr. Kemp's sister I am addressing." "Yes, Sir, my name is Fanny Meredith, and your's, I believe, is Brownrigg." He bowed. Perhaps, Mrs. Meredith, you can tell me something of Mrs. Potter"-" I have not been long here, Sir."

Brownrigg. But by what I understand, your family live very near.

F. That is true, Sir, but I never was at the Lion since I was eight or nine years old, I think; but I heard my mother mention that poor Mrs. Potter had been in some distress, and that a friend had settled her affairs for her."-" Yes, yes, there was something done, I believe, and more would be done if we could be certain that

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the good lady was not fond of liquid fire.” Fanny said, she would make any inquiries, and at this moment Mr. Edmund Walker entered, and Mr. Brownrigg requested the honour of speaking with him for a few moments; but they did not quit the room without taking notice of Fanny and the lovely little ones. Mr. Edmund W. knew little or nothing of Mrs. Potter, though his father had described the meeting with Mr. Brownrigg at Walworth; and so accurate had been his description, that Mr. Edmund thought he should have known Mr. Brownrigg any where. "If you wish to go to the Lion I will step with you, and you may judge for yourself." He acceded to this proposal, and Mrs. Potter, who was in the bar, said to a servant who stood by, "I wonder what brings Mr. Edmund Walker here, no good, I dare say." She had not time for a second observation, before Mr. Brownrigg begged for the honour of speaking with her.

Mrs. Potter. Oh, Sir, to be sure, Sir; private business, Sir?

Mr. Brownrigg. Why yes, Madam, perhaps we might as well walk to a private room; do you not think so, Sir?

Mr. Edmund bowed, and Mrs. Potter sniffed and tossed her head, and they followed her to a very respectable back room, where

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hung a sword, a plaid cloak, and on the table some volumes of poems and several periodical publications. Pray sit down, Sir; this is the captain's room, and here, Sir, you may say all your say, for there's nobody wont come here, for the captain's gone out, and this is always his private room when he's here; for, as he says, there is not such pleasant lodgings in all Pas he gets at the Lion." How long Mrs. Potter might have gone on repeating the captain's praise of the Lion publichouse cannot be known; for Mr. Brownrigg, who was a man of business, and not at all patient under long harangues, stopped her with, "No doubt, Madam, the captain has made a judicious choice; but as this gentleman is unknown to us, we will, if you please, proceed to business."

Mrs. P. Oh dear, yes, Sir, to be sure; shall I fetch an inkstand?

Mr. B. "No, Madam, I thank you, my memory will serve me;" and here Mr. Brownrigg buttoned his coat tight, pulled off his gloves, rubbed his hands, and after keeping his eyes cast down for a few moments, he looked full on Mrs. Potter, and asked her if she went to church.

Mrs. P. To church, Sir; dear me, what a very strange question-To church! Pray

Sir, what business can it be of your's, Sir, whether I goes to church?

Mr. B. None in the world, Madam; but as the person from whom I come makes that question, and your reply, the foundation of some very important business, I just took the liberty to ask it; but should it be unpleasant to you to answer it, my business is ended. (And here he drew on his gloves.) I wish you a very good afternoon.

Mrs. P. Dear me, (and she looked with an eye of scrutiny on Mr. B.) Don't I remember you?

Mr. B. Really, Madam, that is for you to determine, and not very material-I remember you.

Mrs. P. Are you not Jonathan Brownrigg?

Mr. B. I was christened Jonathan, but your uncle used to call me Mr. Brownrigg.

Mrs. P. Well then, Mr. Brownrigg, I'd be glad to know what's the reason as you wishes to know if I'm always at the church?

Mr. B. No reason whatever, Madam! I wish you a very good afternoon; (and he was making towards the door, when she said in a tone half pettish, half coaxing,) Why, Mr. Brownrigg, if you've got any thing to say for my good, I'll willingly

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listen.'

B. No, Madam ; till you have the goodness to answer my inquiry, I have no message further.

Mrs. P. Well, to be sure I'd be glad to know what you're come about. Why, let me see; why, I thinks I was at the church last Sunday was fortnight. (She rings the bell, the maid comes in)-" Judy, wasn't I at church last Sunday fortnight.'

I

Judy. I'm sure, Ma'am, I can't say; havn't been here but a week last Saturday.

Mrs. P. Dear, no, girl; no more you have, I forgot that. Well, it's no matter, but I'm sure I was there last Sunday fortnight.

Brownrigg. Some particular occasion, I suppose; perhaps you stood godmother, Madam?

Mrs. P. Dear, how came you to know that, Sir? I did, to be sure, for the first time.

Edmund Walker looked up, and said, "that was very extraordinary." And Mrs. P. looked round with inquiry, as to what was extraordinary; and Mr. B. looked the same inquiry. Why, Sir, my father is very particular, I know, upon this subject." Here Mrs. P. broke in-"Your father is particular enough upon all subjects, Master Edmund." E. Walker, whose mind was of a very superior cast, was not at all disposed to enter into an argument with such a per