OF A SALMON. 61 



so we may as well tell the whole truth. A word 

 in your ear about this fair companion ! 



# # * * * # * j ! 



" Is it possible ! you don't say so ! " 



" Quite true, I assure you, my dear madam ! " 



# & # * * * * 



" And, pray, how long may she be likely to 

 a-hem ! to continue in that interesting state ? " 



" Why, that is impossible exactly to say, 

 Madam; these things, as -you must be aware, 

 are in all cases somewhat uncertain. Mister 

 Salmo, I believe, has some thoughts of reaching 

 a certain shallow gravelly bed in the river near 

 Corwen, over which he disported himself in his 

 early days, and to which reference was made in 

 our opening chapter. Mistress Salmo is equally 

 anxious to arrive there ; but you may observe, 

 my dear Madam, a certain enbonpoint rotundity 

 of contour about her figure, which however 

 graceful, bespeaks a frame less equal to long 

 continued and powerful exertion than that of her 

 more active partner, and affords quite sufficient 

 cause for that amiable anxiety on his part, 

 which we have both been admiring." 



But look ! there are symptoms of a decided 

 move at last ! Yes, they have determined on 

 their course, and our friend's careful survey and 



