490 THE THREE HAVENS. 



It was about half-past five when Mr. Narcissus Nonsuch was seen 

 to emerge from a post-chaise that drew up at the end of Gaffer- 

 lane. With an anxious uncertainty, as he sniffed the morning breeze, 

 did he look into vacancy for the object of his expectation ; and, at 

 length his best wishes were realized. Miss Niobe Raven was ap- 

 proaching with hasty steps the scene of projected flight. 



"Are you ready ?" inquired the linen-draper. 



" Perfectly/' was the tremulous rejoinder. 



" Then let me hand you to the vehicle in waiting," cried he, as, in 

 a style of his own, he handed her over the stile of Mullins the grazier, 

 and escorted her to the carriage. 



" Will you allow me ?" cried a voice from within that convenience, 

 a voice which it was plain did not belong to Nonsuch ; and a hand 

 was put forth at the same moment, which, it was equally evident, 

 was not his property. 



The repetition of that polite question, put, as it was, in poli- 

 test accents, appeared in no slight degree to unsettle the serenity 

 of Miss Niobe Raven ; but a somewhat unmetropolitan thrust from 

 behind, and the sudden sliding of the steps under the vehicle, pre- 

 cluded further parley, and the carriage drove off without such satis- 

 factory explanation, as, in common cases, might have been deemed 

 respectably indispensable. 



Nonsuch lingered for some moments in the high-road in a pleas- 

 ing reverie, and a face disclosed Itself at the miniature window in 

 the rear of the post-chaise, which appeared to be pleasing unto him ; 

 waiting, therefore, till the bobbing up and down of the postilion ceas- 

 ed to be discernible by the naked eye, he retraced his steps, and soon 

 found himself at the door of Mr. Simon Raven, the undertaker. 



That dolorous individual and his exemplary sleeping partner were 

 at this moment in the pleasing pursuance of their respective dreams 

 narcotic avocations which they usually enjoyed without molestation 

 till eight o'clock ; but Nonsuch, bursting without ceremony into the 

 chamber, caused them suddenly to erect themselves in their bed ; 

 where they sat arranging their nightcaps, with visages of extreme 

 perplexity. 



"Are you not a precious pair?" cried Nonsuch, drawing aside 

 the curtains at the foot of the couch, and revealing himself to their 

 gradually extended gaze; "are you not a pretty pair?" and he 

 projected his hand like an Athenian orator, "to connive at these 

 doings on the part of your daughter." 



"What do you mean, Mr. Nonsuch?" cried the parents con- 

 junctively. 



" What do I mean?" ejaculated the other, poking his fore-finger 

 towards each, " why, that Niobe has eloped with Captain Trigger/ 



" Gracious goodness ! God bless my soul !" and other outcries 

 followed, as the two tumbled out of bed, and Nonsuch closed the 

 bed-curtains, and retreated to the door. 



"Shall I order a hearse and four directly?" cried he, through 

 the keyhole, " we shall be able to overtake them at Gravelstone, 

 doubtless. I know we shall catch them at the Spilsbury Arms." 



