66

My admirer at the farm, Mr. Froth! you surprise me."

"I knew I should; I always like to surprise the ladies. But positively he's a capital hit; he'll carry through the third volume swimmingly; such a power of face; such a twang; and such matchless impudence in denying that he was any thing but what he seemed. I told him I knew it all; that he was a gentleman; that he was in love with you, and to all that I said, he only opened his great saucer eyes and said, Zurely, zurely, zur.' Oh, 'twas infinitely provocative of cachinnation!"

It must have been very amusing to hear a Devonshire peasant talk in the patois of his county."

66

Exactly. Very amusing. But it was not a peasant, Miss Maria; no, no; it was the acting I admired; it was a gentleman, Miss Maria; and a friend of your's, too. But we'll trick him; your father is in favour of my claims upon your

hand; but it is an exceedingly prosaic way of being married. Don't you think so?”

66 Very."

"And you would prefer a more spirited

match? "

"Yes."

"An elopement?"

"Perhaps

tr

Capital! thank ye, thank ye-'twill be an admirable incident towards the conclusion."

"What, sir?"

Why, the elopement to be sure, and the disappointment of the suitor, who is no doubt quite confident of success- -won't it be capital?"

"Yes."

"How like a fool he'll look when he finds his angel gone off with another-won't he?”.

"Well-but let us arrange it. My carriage

shall be at the hazel copse at half-past five

get all your things into it-slip quietly out yourself-four admirable posters-pistols in the pockets. I have already put a purse under the seat, to pay as we go along. Ha! that's your sort!-you'll do it?"

"Perhaps."

"Thank ye, thank ye-here by this kiss I

swear!"

"Zur, zur, here be Zur Timothy."

Shepherd, never interrupt people on the point of kissing, 'tis cruel-ha! Miss Morland gone!-Well, clodpole, what didst thou remark in my absence?”

"Efaiks! the young woman an' me-uz got on prodigious foine-ees."

"You did? but she seemed to have no incli

nation to go on to the farm?"

"Noa-she stayed where she was—she zeemed well enough pleased wi' I.”

"She is a lady of great discernment. But

stay-I shall need your services again. Be punctually at the hazel copse at half-past five. You will there see a carriage and four-help Miss Morland into it, and allow no one to go near her except yourself, till I come. You may stay beside her to protect her in my absence." "Ees, zur, I'll purtect she wi' my life." "Good-rustic, thou art not the greatest fool

in the world."

Noa, zur-I be next to 'un, tho'."

"Thou'rt modest: be punctual-be faithful, and another crown rewards thy fidelity."-Exit.

"Well, this is better than I could possibly have expected-let me see-four o'clock. I'll go to the farm, make all my arrangements, and be ready to take advantage of my good fortune at half-past five."

At half-past five a carriage with four posters was waiting at the appointed place. Miss Morand tripped quickly from the hall, and was

received by her disguised admirer.

Maria, this is so kind."

"Dearest

"Hush, hush-Mr. Froth will be here instantly. I saw him with papa in the shrubbery, as I passed."

“Well, jump into the carriage, we must bor row Mr. Froth's. Now, I'm in after you; shut the door, postillion, and drive like a whirlwind.”

"Please, sir," said the postillion," be you the gemman as hired the horses?"

"Here, my good fellow, there's a sovereigndrive well, it shall be doubled."

"I thought you was Mr. Froth. Jack, mind this here gemman is Mr. Froth-a sovereign, Jack."

"Mum's the word," said Jack, and put foot in stirrup.

Ho! ho! wo! stop there!" cried Mr. Froth, running at the top of his speed, followed in the distance by Sir Timothy; 66 stop, you cursed