'"Too clearly," cries Tom, sinking into a chair, and giving one
hand to the old gentleman, and one to the Gifted. "The orb of day
has set on Thomas Grig for ever!"

'At this affecting remark, the Gifted shed tears again, and the
other two mingled their tears with his, in a kind - if I may use
the expression - of Mooney and Co.'s entire. But the old gentleman
recovering first, observed that this was only a reason for
hastening the marriage, in order that Tom's distinguished race
might be transmitted to posterity; and requesting the Gifted to
console Mr. Grig during his temporary absence, he withdrew to
settle the preliminaries with his niece immediately.

'And now, gentlemen, a very extraordinary and remarkable occurrence
took place; for as Tom sat in a melancholy way in one chair, and
the Gifted sat in a melancholy way in another, a couple of doors
were thrown violently open, the two young ladies rushed in, and one
knelt down in a loving attitude at Tom's feet, and the other at the
Gifted's. So far, perhaps, as Tom was concerned - as he used to
say - you will say there was nothing strange in this: but you will
be of a different opinion when you understand that Tom's young lady
was kneeling to the Gifted, and the Gifted's young lady was
kneeling to Tom.

'"Halloa! stop a minute!" cries Tom; "here's a mistake. I need
condoling with by sympathising woman, under my afflicting
circumstances; but we're out in the figure. Change partners,
Mooney."