

492 THE THREE RAVENS. 



or we'll take five hundred pounds or we'll indict you for a con- 

 spiracy." 



" What do you mean ?" stammered Mr. Simon Raven. 



" Oh dear me ! only think of that !" faltered Mrs. Raven and a 

 pause ensued. 



" He has loved you long and deeply," urged Nonsuch, at the other 

 end of the room ; " why, Lord bless you ! he's a military man, and 

 only wants a little money to obtain a colonelcy. Brave as a badger, 

 hang me if he isn't !" 



" Well, what do you both say ?" resumed Trigger ; " I have loved 

 your daughter long and deeply, as my friend observes, but my 

 confounded modesty has prevented an earlier disclosure of my 

 sentiments." 



" Do you hear that ?" insinuated Nonsuch. 



Miss Raven smiled through her tears. 



"We will consider about it," cried Raven, more calmly ; " there's 

 plenty of time, Captain." 



"' You military men are so pressing/' observed Mrs. Raven. 

 " Niobe, my love, walk this way. Do you object to Captain Trigger 

 for a husband, my child ?" 



" Dear me, mamma, what can I say ?" said Miss Raven, and a 

 glance towards the Captain conveyed the rapturous remainder of the 

 assent. 



" I see how it is," said Trigger, in an under-tone to his friend. 



" Come, then, let us all have breakfast together," exclaimed Non- 

 such, in an ecstasy ; " and if Miss Raven will permit me, I shall be 

 most happy to present her with a wedding-dress white gauze, of the 

 finest manufacture, over white satin of equal richness : a very stout 

 article, I assure you." 



" I would much rather it should be black satin," observed Mrs. 

 Raven. 



"Black, of course," said Raven, decisively. 



" Let it be black, if you please," simpered Miss Niobe ; " I would 

 much rather, as mamma says, have it black/' 



" Black be it then," cried Nonsuch ; " and now let us sit down to 

 breakfast." 



OMICRON. 



