'Well, sir, her cousin--you know it's a cousin she's going to be married to ?' 'Oh yes,' I replied.

'I know him well.' 'Of course you do,' said Mr.Omer.

'Well, sir! Her cousin being, as it appears, in good work, and well to do, thanked me in a very manly sort of manner for this (conducting himself altogether, I must say, in a way that gives me a high opinion of him), and went and took as comfortable a little house as you or I could wish to clap eyes on.

That little house is now furnished right through, as neat and complete as a doll's parlour; and but for Barkis's illness having taken this bad turn, poor fellow, they would have been man and wife--I dare say, by this time.

As it is, there's a postponement.' 'And Emily, Mr.Omer ?' I inquired.