recurring infant; and, thinking thus, here I would finish, but that gratitude to my friend (now uncle) Badger compels me to state that the déjeuner (at which both the couples were present) given by him at the Hermitage was a banquet indeed. It was set forth in a marquee pitched upon the lawn, and laid down with a floor for a ball in the evening.

The table blazed with plate and bloomed with exotics, and (to quote from the local newspaper) "everything was there that could gorge the eye and appease the appetite."

Around it were ranged many and many a trusty friend, here and there in combinations rather startling to a connoisseur in social chemistry, Mrs Badger outdoing all her previous achievements in the marshalling of her guests. Aunt Blogg and Sir Rowland Richmond- a ferocious-looking old

martinet were told off to each other, as were John Blackstock and Burridge's grandmamma. The latter, awfully deaf and slightly doting, enlivened the proceedings by every now and then inquiring in a farcarrying falsetto, "if in his" (John Blackstock's) "candid opinion Mr Badger wasn't a little like the butcher at Wellingborough -just a little, now, about the mouth and eyes?" Then there were friends from the City, and friends from the court, and friends from the camp-friends from England, Scotland, and Ireland; an omniumgatherum of people of all kinds of grades and professions, but happily combined by the bond of a common goodwill to the young couples, and by the blithesome bonhomie of the exuberant host. A jollier marriage-breakfast I never saw, and as it was my own, that is saying a good deal..

At last it was time for us to go; but ere

we went, up sprung the London citizen of credit and renown to propose our healths, and he handled the topic with such Homeric fire, and surrounded our marvellous adventures with such a champagny combination of mist and sparkle, as not a little to delight and puzzle his audience. Amid the cheers and laughter and "good healths" which succeeded we made our escape.

"Don't follow them," cried Badger, "there's a clothes-basketful of old shoes all ready here, and we can fire at them as they drive past the tent." So the company remained in ambush in the marquee, aunt Blogg alone disobeying the host's order, and pursuing us into the house.

"Just to say 'God bless you' once more, my dears," she explained.

I was right glad to get the opportunity of thanking her. By letter I had done so, of course, and fervently; but what cana letter

express compared with living words? "Dear aunt," I said, "it is for me to say 'God bless you!' It is for me to wish that wish every day and hour of my life; you have made me the happiest man in all the world. I wish I had words to thank you, but my heart is too full-I can only say 'God bless you!'-from my heart I say it; and, after all, what better wish can the heart of man devise?"

"And oh dear aunt," cried Rose, "believe me that I join him in that wish; I hope I know I shall try to be a good niece, and to repay with my warmest love, at least, what you have done for us. God bless you, dear aunt!" She threw her arms round the good old lady's neck and kissed her, and the good old lady retired precipitately into the interior, sobbing that she must go away, or she would make a fool of herself.

VOL. II.

T

We were soon ready for a start, and nothing remained to be accomplished but the private adieux of the two couples.

66

6

"We are both Doubles' now, Dolly," I

cried, as we grasped each other's hands in the hall.

"Yes; and as you got me my wife, and I got you yours, we're 'Quits' too. Ha!

ha ha!

"DOUBLES AND QUITS!""

And we both laughed loudly, for a small joke goes a long way with a light heartwhich I hope you have, dear reader, for

your

own sake as well as mine.

THE END.

PRINTED BY WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS, EDINBURGH.