men nearest them with such wondrous force, more than one was borne to the ground, and the rest were so jostled together, a flock of timid sheep set on by a dog could not have got in so small a compass.

Jonas stood aloof from the fear-struck throng with his hands on his hips, and his mouth at its utmost stretch, giving vent to so boisterous a peal of laughing as even those old rafters, familiar as they were with such sounds, had had no knowledge of.

"Why, thou intolerable faint hearts!" exclaimed he, as soon as he could get proper command of his speech." If it be any thing less substantial than Goody Poppet's stout wench, with her lantern to see home her mistress, I have no more brains than a three-hooped pot." Whereupon the merry knave threw open the door, and flying like a wheel, turning round upon his hands and feet, he passed with a mischievous chuckle through the next chamber to the house-door, though the way was so dark you could not see your hand in it.

This declaration somewhat pacified the affrighted company, whereof the male part seemed the readiest satisfied the most scared being by far the quickest to assume an air of indifferency-the miller and his son boldly saying they were assured all along it could be no other than their gossip's hand

maid; but Tommy Hart honestly said, he had not been in so horrible a fear all his days, and vowed he would never rest till he had served that "snipttaffeta fellow," as he styled the tailor, with such another trick.

As they were all rapidly gaining confidence, and Goody Poppet was preparing for putting herself under the guidance of her usual attendant in dark nights to return home, the door opened. Every one expected the stout wench so well known to them, but there presently entered one who was no more like unto her, than is the golden sun to a Banbury cheese.

The hood with which her delicate sweet face was enveloped was suddenly thrown back from her shoulders by the hand of Jonas Tietape, who had entered with her, and there was displayed the features of a young girl, of not more than twelve years, flushed as though with some great exertion, and wearing withal a troubled air, that did give to its surpassing loveliness an expression so touching, the horridest villain could not help feeling its exquisite influence.

"Susannah!" cried Joan Hart, evidently in a wondrous amazement as she recognised her youthful visitor. Why, what hath brought thee here

at this untimely hour?"

"Truly a great need!" replied as musical soft

a voice as ear ever heard this side of Heaven; and then she wrung her dainty little hands, and looked so pitiful, all present felt their hearts melt within them. "An it please you, good, sweet aunt, you return with me to Shottery on the instant."

The tender-hearted Joan stopped not for questioning. Leaving the child to the sympathy of her guests, she flew for such things as were needful for her to put on for the journey, and, before the more inquisitive of the company had extracted, from amidst her constant tears and sorrowful exclamations, aught beside her having run all the way over the fields, without any companion, in so dismal a night, Joan had returned ready to start. Her husband grasped his cudgel, and, having quickly lighted a lantern, and put himself in a like readiness, he bade his guests "good night," and was soon anxiously accompanying the fair child and his excellent helpmate into the street.

CHAPTER II.

All I have done is little yet to purpose,
But, ere I leave him, I will perceive him blush;
And make him feel the passions that I do,
And every true lover will assist me in't,
And send me their sad sighs to blow it home,
For Cupid wants a dart to wound this bosom.
THE LAWS OF CANDY.

Fred. She's free as you or I am, and may have,
By that prerogative, a liberal choice

In the bestowing of her love.

Lod. Bestowing?

If it be so, she has bestowed herself

Upon a trim youth.

THE CAPTAIN.

That such an oyster-shell should hold a pearl

And of so rare a price-in prison.

RULE A WIFE AND HAVE A WIFE.

The musician sat tuning of his cittern, close upon where sat an ancient gentlewoman, with whom it was evident he was not only upon terms of some intimacy, but, if looks and courteous words

denote aught, the exquisite and very vehement gallantry of his manner towards her had touched her affections somewhat. Of a verity, he was a man like enough to impress a woman's heart with a sense of the most absolute affectionateness, for not only had he in visage and person such gifts as are usually all-powerful with a fair lady, the which were set off in a very gallant, peach-coloured suit, with a cloak of murray velvet, faced with fur, and all corresponding appurtenances; but there was that in his look, in his voice, and in his every motion albeit there was a marvellous stiffness in the homage and tenderness with which he appeared to regard his companion, that smacked of an age gone by that spoke him to be of no common

sort.

Certes, the tall, antiquated, stately dame, who looked into his eyes with so manifest a conceit of ecstasy, was not of that proper condition that would in ordinary cases attract so admirable a gallant. She lacked youth most abominably; and of charms had she no more than would serve to show she was not quite a dressed-up anatomy. Her parchment visage-albeit there was paint enough on it to have done some service towards creating any Red Lion or flaming Phoenix worthy of being the pride of the whole city-only gave signs of life in the constant trick she had of forcing her mouth, which