"Come in," said the voice of Mr. Stillinghast, in answer to his low
tapping.

"Aha! well?"

"Have you the necessary papers ready, sir?" inquired the young man,
eagerly.

"Here they are. Are you ready to sign them?"

"This moment, sir. Give me the pen."

"No, sir; read them first. I'll have no such head-over-heels doings in
any transactions in which I am concerned. Here they are!" said Mr.
Stillinghast, in his saturnine, rough way.

Walter Jerrold read the papers, which were worded according to the
strictest legal forms, slowly and attentively, and felt more than
satisfied.

"All right, Mr. Stillinghast. 'Faith, sir, your niece requires no
golden chains to her chariot. She is the most beautiful creature I
ever beheld--accomplished, and elegant in form and manners. Give me
the pen!" he said, earnestly, as he spread out the parchment, and
prepared to sign his name thereto.

"Clouds are beautiful with the sunshine on them," said the old man,
with a sneer; "so is a mirage in the desert; so are the apples on the
shores of the Dead Sea. But she is yours. You'll find no trouble in