THE SMUGGLER. 441 



you have set me an example of doing good for evil, and aton- 

 ing, by every means, for a slight error, I will not be backward 

 to do the same, and to acknowledge that I have acted most 

 wrongly towards you, for which may heaven forgive me, as 

 you have done! I have small means of atoning for much that 

 is past ; but to do so, as far as possible, freely and with my 

 full consent, take the most valuable thing I have to give, my 

 dear child's hand: nay, hear me yet a moment. I wish your 

 marriage to take place as soon as possible. I have learned to 

 doubt of time, and never to trust the future. Say a week, a 

 fortnight, Edith; but let it be speedily. It is my wish; let 

 me say, for the last time, it is my command." 



" But, brother Robert," exclaimed Mrs. Barbara, ruming 

 her embroidery irretrievably in the agitation of the moment, 

 "you know it can't be so very soon; for there are all the 

 dresses to get ready, and the settlements to be drawn up, and 

 a thousand things to buy ; and our cousins in Yorkshire must 

 be informed, and 



" D n our cousins in Yorkshire!" exclaimed Mr. Zachary 

 Croyland. "Now, my dear Bab, tell me candidly, whether 

 you have or have not any nice little plan ready for spoiling the 

 whole, and throwing us all into confusion again. Don't you 

 think you could just send Edith to visit somebody in the small- 

 pox? or get Harry Lay ton run through in a duel? or some 

 other little comfortable consummation, which may make us all 

 as unhappy as possible?" 



" Really, brother Zachary, I don't know what you mean I" 

 said Mrs. Barbara, looking the picture of injured innocence. 



"I dare say not, Bab," answered Mr. Croyland; "but I 

 understand what you mean; and I tell you it shall not be. 

 Edith shall fix the day; and as a good child, she will obey 

 her father, and fix it as early as possible. When once fixed, 

 it shall not be changed or put off, on any account or con- 

 sideration whatever, if my name's Croylaad. As for the 

 dresses, don't you trouble your head about that; I'll under- 

 take the dresses, and have them all down from London by the 

 coach. Give me the size of your waist, Edith, upon a piece 

 of string, and your length from shoulder to heel, and leave all 

 the rest to me. If I don't dress her like a Mahommedan prin- 

 cess, may I never hear Bismillah again." 



Kdith smiled, but answered, " I don't think it will be at all 



