"Or, perhaps, a silver tea-set, and some corner-dishes," says she.

But we could not agree to this: it was too little--too mean for a man
of her uncle's wealth; and we both determined it must be the thousand
pounds.

"Dear good uncle! he's to be here by the coach," says Magdalen. "Let
us ask a little party to meet him." And so we did, and so they came: my
father and mother, old Crutty in his best wig, and the parson who was
to marry us the next day. The coach was to come in at six. And there
was the tea-table, and there was the punch-bowl, and everybody ready and
smiling to receive our dear uncle from London.

Six o'clock came, and the coach, and the man from the "Green Dragon"
with a portmanteau, and a fat old gentleman walking behind, of whom I
just caught a glimpse--a venerable old gentleman: I thought I'd seen him
before.

*****

Then there was a ring at the bell; then a scuffling and bumping in the
passage: then old Crutty rushed out, and a great laughing and talking,
and "HOW ARE YOU?" and so on, was heard at the door; and then the
parlor-door was flung open, and Crutty cried out with a loud voice--

"Good people all! my brother-in-law, Mr. STIFFELKIND!"

MR. STIFFELKIND!--I trembled as I heard the name!

Miss Crutty kissed him; mamma made him a curtsy, and papa made him a