engagement had been a thing settled; but his position with regard to
Florence had been declared by letter, and his mother had written to the
young, lady asking her to come to Clavering.

When Harry got home, all the family received him with congratulations.
"I am so glad to think that you should marry early," his mother said to
him in a whisper.

"But I am not married yet, mother," he answered.

"Do show me a lock of her hair," said Fanny, laughing.

"It's twice prettier hair than yours, though she doesn't think half so
much about it as you do," said her brother, pinching Fanny's arm.

"But you'll show me a lock, wont you?" said Fanny.

"I'm so glad she's to be here at my marriage," said Mary; "because then
Edward will know her. I'm so glad that he will see her."

"Edward will have other fish to fry, and won't care much about her,"
said Harry.

"It seems you're going to do the regular thing," said his father, "like
all the good apprentices. Marry your master's daughter, and then become
Lord Mayor of London."

This was not the view in which it had pleased Harry to regard his
engagement. All the other "young men" that had gone to Mr. Burton's had
married Mr. Burton's daughters--or, at least, enough had done so to