astonished than her mamma, on beholding the occupier of the fourth
place at the table. Had she expected to see the fascinating
stranger so soon again? I think she had. Her big eyes said as
much, as, furtively looking up at Mr. Walker's face, they caught his
looks; and then bouncing down again towards her plate, pretended to
be very busy in looking at the boiled beef and carrots there
displayed. She blushed far redder than those carrots, but her
shining ringlets hid her confusion together with her lovely face.

Sweet Morgiana! the billiard-ball eyes had a tremendous effect on
the Captain. They fell plump, as it were, into the pocket of his
heart; and he gallantly proposed to treat the company to a bottle of
champagne, which was accepted without much difficulty.

Mr. Crump, under pretence of going to the cellar (where he said he
had some cases of the finest champagne in Europe), called Dick, the
boy, to him, and despatched him with all speed to a wine merchant's,
where a couple of bottles of the liquor were procured.

"Bring up two bottles, Mr. C.," Captain Walker gallantly said when
Crump made his move, as it were, to the cellar and it may be
imagined after the two bottles were drunk (of which Mrs. Crump took
at least nine glasses to her share), how happy, merry, and
confidential the whole party had become. Crump told his story of
the "Bootjack," and whose boot it had drawn; the former Miss Delancy
expatiated on her past theatrical life, and the pictures hanging
round the room. Miss was equally communicative; and, in short, the
Captain had all the secrets of the little family in his possession
ere sunset. He knew that Miss cared little for either of her
suitors, about whom mamma and papa had a little quarrel. He heard