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be explained. She again took his arm, and he pressed her hand, and when Miss Duprez had led them to the gate at which they had entered, he warmly and gracefully bade them adieu, and, with feelings of ecstacy, left them.

Nothing now worth recording occurred until nine the following morning. It is true that Sylvester had, in the night, attempted to get out of bed; but as he did not expect to be, by any means, immediately cured, this neither distressed nor amazed him. But there was, at the hour named, one man near him struck—absolutely struck with amazement; and that man was Obadiah Drant.

He had gone as usual to the Crumpet and Crown to have the first look at the Sunday paper, and when his eye rested on the case of Crim. Con., and he found that Sylvester was the defendant, he called out to Legge—"Hallo! Here you are! Here's a go! Send I may live! Look here!"

"What is it?" inquired Legge. "Anything fresh?"

"Fresh! I fancy it is fresh. You recollect that young scamp that wanted to fructify me into the belief that he wasn't here at all that night, don't you?"

"What young Mr. Sound? What of him?"

"I wish I may die if he ain't been crim-conning it."

"What?"

"Crim-conning it with one of the aristocracy. Didn't I always say they were a foul, lascivious lot! There isn't one virtuous woman amongst them."

"Psha!" exclaimed Legge.

"Well, but doesn't this prove it?"

"Let me have a look at it."

"Shall I read to you?"

"Yes, if you'll read right on, and let us have none of your comments."

Obadiah undertook to do this: and, having readjusted his spectacles, commenced, and read the opening speech with peculiar gusto.

"What do you think of that, my boy!—what do you think of that!" he exclaimed.

"Go on," said Legge; "go on."

"Well, but what do you think of it? That's a tidy juxtaposition to be placed in."

"Go on—go on; or give me the paper."

Obadiah proceeded; and when he had got through Slashinger's speech, Legge, rubbing his hands, inquired what he thought of it.

"We shall see, my boy—we shall see!" replied Obadiah. "I don't care for that."

"Have you seen what the verdict is?"

"No."

"Then I'll bet you what you like he gets off."

"Done! I'll bet you he don't."

"A glass of grog!"

"Done!"