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occasion, for the same post which brought my worthy father-in-law the letter which so infuriated him, brought a note to Tom from the Lieutenant, directing him to pay off whatever bills might be owing in the place, to deliver an accompanying inclosed letter to the sergeant, and then to come forthwith to him at Mrs. Pennefather's, bringing the sergeant with him, as he had business to transact with him which must be done before his successor in the recruiting service should arrive at Blissfold; and moreover, to pack up his things, and lose no time in obeying his instructions.

"It's all over, Sally," said Tom; "it's my belief the affair with Miss Fanny is entirely and regularly floored."

"I think so, too," said Sally, "for, my dear Tom, she has been crying all the morning, and master has been storming about like mad: rely upon it that never will be a match."

"Isn't that a pretty business?" said Tom. "I'm ordered off with the sergeant at half-an

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hour's warning, pack and baggage; and perhaps, Sally, we may never meet again.”

"We!" said Sally. "Why, Tom, what have we to do with them? We have had no quarrelmy father is not the Parson of Blissfold, nor is your aunt going to make you marry somebody else."

"No," said Tom, "that's quite true, Sally; but then, if my master does not marry at all?perhaps, too, he may be going abroad-why then, what should we do? I should not like you to be lady's-maid to an unmarried lieutenant, don't you see?"

"No, I don't see," said Sally.

"Give up

his service, and I'll give up mine, and we will try and better ourselves, and set up a shop."

"A shop!" said Tom. Isn't that low? Shopkeeper don't sound well."

"Sound well!" said Sally. "I think it sounds uncommon well. Half the great people in England are shopkeepers."

"Yes, Sally," said Tom, "but we should

never be great people. As it is, you see, here we are the Lieutenant finds me clothes, meat, drink, and lodging, and pays me four-and-twenty pounds a-year for eating his mutton, sitting by his fire, reading his books, drinking his wine, carrying his letters, and walking about with you. Miss Fanny is nearly as civil to you. Now, suppose we resign promiscuously—as the great folks say, throw up office,--and start, like Romulus and Remus in Shakspeare's Paradise Lost,

'The world before us where to choose.'

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"Gos-" exclaimed Sally.

"Well, not Gosport," interrupted Tom. " I only mentioned Gosport because it first came incontinently into my head; and we marry

“Well, I'm sure, Tom!" said Sally.

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"Oh, yes, Sally," said Tom, "I mean all that. Well, and before we marry——"

"Well ?" said Sally anxiously. "What before

we marry?"

"We settle upon some genteel occupation," said Tom," in the green-grocery line, for instance. Table-beer, sold here,' eh? Or, in the chandlery, Licensed to deal in pepper, tea, and tobacco,' or whatever it may be. So much for coming in and fixtures- then we then we must furnish ;-then comes the rent-the taxes— stock to buy-mutton-bread-butter-beer(sherry, port, and madeira wholly out of the question)-coals- candles salt-mustardeverything in the mortal world, and no wages whatever."

"But then one is independent," said Sally.

"So far as having nothing to depend upon," said Tom "No, Sally, don't let us be in a hurry; let us see how the land lies. This matter betwixt my master and Miss has been off before,-it may come on again. I'll go, as he bids me. I'll find out all how and about it at our Aunt's, and write you a full, true, and particular account of the whole preliminaries. I should be glad if we could manage so as to continue with him, if it can be done with propriety Sally, for, although

he does not seem aware of it, I assure you, my dear charymee, he has a treasure of a servant in Thomas Lazenby."

"But, then, Tom," said Miss Kerridge, (who was really very fond of her "young ladies,") "supposing the Captain marries somebody else ?"

"There you have hit it, Sally," said Tom; "that's it. Why, then, and in that case, you know, we could both favour them incontinently with our attentions."

"What, and leave Miss Fanny?" said Sally.

"We won't talk of that now," said Tom; "it mayn't be necessary. We may be all wrong, and all may come right at last; so, as the sergeant is waiting, and the chaise ready, I'll be off, and by this very night's post I'll write. What, Sally; d'ye think I won't?" added Tom, with one of those looks which invariably lead to a practical result.

The answer was given-not in words-and after this chaste salute, Tom ran off towards his master's late lodgings, Sally's eyes never quitting

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