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how d'ye do, and to let you know that I had arrived. I'll call in the morning: what time shall I call?"

"Oh, as early as you please! but you are not going yet?"

"Yes; I'll call in the morning: we shall then be more tranquil. You have much to say to me, and I have much to say to you. In the morning we'll talk over everything calmly."

"But I really cannot permit you to leave me in such haste. Come into the drawing-room—come."

"No, no, my dear madam; you perhaps have a party."

"No, indeed, we have not: there's only Mrs. Delolme, who is exceedingly anxious to be introduced to you. The doctor is unfortunately out now, but he will be in presently: Sylvester, too, will be in very soon: therefore, come, my dear sir—nay, you really must come. Mrs. Delolme, I know, will scold me, if you go without allowing me the pleasure of introducing you to her."

"Well, my dear madam, if you are sure that I'm not intruding, I shall be happy to be introduced to that lady. I cannot," he added, playfully, and at the same time pressing both her hands in a style which, for him, was extremely unusual, "I cannot—nor will I cause you to be scolded. I may scold you myself—that, perhaps, I may do—but you must not be scolded by any one else."

Aunt Eleanor smiled—she didn't at all understand what he meant, still she smiled; and, having conducted him into the drawing-room, presented him at once to Mrs. Delolme, who received him, gracefully it is true, but with that excessive formality which freezes. The reverend gentleman was awed! The severity of her expression had at first the effect of blocking up all conversation. Aunt Eleanor, however, at length broke the ice, and until the return of the doctor a stream of religious discourse flowed freely.

While they were thus engaged, Tom and Sylvester were listening with laudable attention to a highly important pathological lecture, during the delivery of which neither Julia nor the bracelets were, for one moment, thought of. At the conclusion, however, both were instantly remembered, and Sylvester, taking Tom's arm, proceeded at once to the bar of the Bull, accompanied, as usual, by half-a-dozen friends.

As they entered, Julia was looking anxiously at the clock, for about the fiftieth time in the course of ten minutes, but when she saw Sylvester, her heart leaped with joy, although she felt more than ever embarrassed.

Sylvester bowed and slightly smiled, and as he smiled she blessed him.

Having managed, mechanically, to supply the demands of the noisy students, she retreated to the other end of the bar, when Tom, perceiving that Sylvester had not been supplied, cried, "Hollo, here! What do you bead? What's by friedd dode? Isd't he to have ady?"

"Really," said Julia, coming forward in a tremor, and addressing Sylvester, "upon my word, I beg pardon: pray forgive me."

"I see how it is," said Tom, as Sylvester was endeavouring to convince her that it really was a matter of no moment: "you are in love with Bob Topps."

"Why, of course," cried Bob Topps, a short, stout, stumpy student,