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"Why, I scarcely know," replied Aunt Eleanor; "I am anxious to see Sylvester settled before I leave town."

"Exactly. He is to be a surgeon, of course?"

"Yes; that has been decided upon, and Dr. Delolme, who is a kind, good creature, is now gone to have an interview with a gentleman, whose talents are distinguished, whom he holds in high esteem, and to whom he is anxious that Sylvester should be articled."

"This may be arranged then in three or four days?"

"Oh yes: it will, I expect, be very soon settled."

"And will you, when this has been settled, have anything at all to detain you in town?"

"Nothing. I think of returning on the following day."

"Oh, then we had better return together—that is, if you have no objection?"

"I can have no objection. I shall be, indeed, most happy to accompany you."

"Then let it be so—I need not explain to you how happy I shall feel!—let it be so."

"You will dine with us to-day, of course?"

"I scarcely know. I dined here yesterday!"

"Oh, but if you are not engaged, you must! The doctor, I know, expects that you will."

"Then I will. I have scarcely time," he observed, on looking at his watch, "to run back to the inn, but I will. The doctor's a fine fellow, and you are a fine fellow—that is to say, I don't mean exactly that, but—you know what I mean. Adieu, until dinner-time! Eleanor!" he added, taking both her hands in his, and gazing upon her, with an unfeigned expression of fervour, "God bless you!"

He then left the room, and Aunt Eleanor, who felt very happy, went up stairs to dress.

After dinner, at which they were joined by Mr. Scholefield—the surgeon to whom Sylvester was about to be articled, and who ate nothing but fish, bread, and pastry, and drank nothing but pure cold water—Sylvester, as well as Aunt Eleanor and the reverend gentleman, was so delighted with his conversation, that Tom experienced the utmost difficulty in inducing his young friend to accompany him, as usual, to the hospital. He did, however, eventually succeed, and they started, and heard the lecture for the evening delivered; and, at the conclusion, Tom received a short message from Julia, of which the substance was, that she wished to see him for one moment.