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"Very well: then let it be so. We'll bring the bells in with us when we go out."

Having decided on pursuing this course, they left the study to prepare for dinner; and on going into the drawing-room shortly afterwards, found that the reverend gentleman had arrived. He did not, however, appear to be at ease. He was evidently anxious about something. He kept fidgeting about, and glancing at the door, and starting when any one entered.

"Your aunt and I," said he at length to Sylvester aside, "have had no conversation on that subject yet."

"Have you not," said Sylvester, who conceived that he alluded to the mystery which still occupied his thoughts.

"I don't think she likes to allude to the subject."

"Very likely not. But did you ever hear of anything so extraordinary—so unaccountable?"

"I never was more astonished in my life than when I heard of it."

"All in the house were astonished."

"Do they all know of the circumstance?"

"Oh! yes. But whatever may now occur will be concealed from them all till the point has been gained."

"Do you think that his object then will be attained?"

"I've no doubt of it."

"Well!" said the reverend gentleman, thoughtfully, "it is altogether the strangest thing I ever heard of."

Dinner was announced: and although no stout individual had arrived, the reverend gentleman felt very nervous. This feeling, however, while they were at dinner wore off: indeed the doctor, who was at all times anxious to make those around him happy, at length put him in high spirits by his lively and interesting conversation. He was delighted with the doctor. He had never met with a man whom he admired so much. And the doctor was equally delighted with him; for simplicity of manners is appreciated most by those who are most conversant with the world's hypocrisy.

At eight o'clock Tom and Sylvester left; and as the ladies had previously retired, the reverend gentleman fully expected that the doctor would allude to the contemplated marriage, seeing that Sylvester—as he imagined—had told him that the whole affair was known to them all. But the doctor, of course, knowing nothing about it, did not say a word upon the subject; which the reverend gentleman thought very strange, feeling convinced that he was perfectly cognizant of the cause of his coming to town. As, however, the subject was not alluded to by him, he did not like to allude to it, and therefore no allusion was made to it at all.

About nine, the doctor was summoned to see a patient, and having taken the reverend gentleman up to the ladies, apologised and left; and as, shortly afterwards, Mrs. Delolme quitted the room to give some instructions to the servants, Aunt Eleanor, addressing her reverend friend, who was anxious for her to begin, said, "Well; and when do you think of leaving town?"