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tude which words but feebly tell, and the sincerest proof I shall give you of my gratitude and respect, will not be by taking Heaven to witness that I love Caroline, and shall be to you a dutiful son; but from this hour devoting myself to the comfort and happiness of yourself and my adorable Caroline."

"Of that, Mr. Stuart, I have little fear; I have had many opportunities of observing your honourable and intrepid character in the face of our enemies, and in the midst of the storm; and your virtuous conduct in the more destructive tempests, where the sternest virtue can sometimes with difficulty escape the snares that are laid to entrap and ruin our gallant tars. It is this, sir, yes! it is this, that gives more grace to your name than title itself; and, thank Heaven, my lad, I am no beggar. There's fortune enough for you to make my daughter happy;

and if you get on in the service of our country, our king will not pass over your name to honour, in your stead, the vicious son of a corrupt favourite." Turning on his heel, the admiral at length perceived Mr. Leaf, whom till now he had totally forgotten. "I beg your pardon, Mr. Leaf."

Nay, sir, no such thing."

"Well, well, Mr. Leaf, I little thought, when I asked you to come here to-day, that I was to bring you to be a witness of Romeo and Juliet felices; and though you have very much the appearance of a priest, I am happy now to think these young folks will not need to flee to the cell of any Friar Lawrence."

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Upon my life, sir, this is the exact counterpart of our great poet's faithful pair; and I must say, admiral, that you have all acted your parts exceedingly well."

"You think so, Mr. Leaf?"

"I do indeed, sir; you have outdone in generosity the mutual esteem and love of Miss Caroline and Mr. Stuart."

"Well, well, let us not hear any more of this generosity, as you are all pleased to call it; I have acted as a parent's feeling dictated, and I hope that all I have done will be sanctioned and blessed by Heaven."

66

CHAPTER XVIII.

Though fools spurn Hymen's gentle powers,
They who improve his golden hours,

By sweet experience know,

That marriage rightly understood,
Gives to the tender and the good
A paradise below."

THE next thing to be done by Admiral Springfield, was to send to the lodgings of Charles Stuart for some clothes; the admiral insisting that a new clothespress should be got, to keep from dust and moths the professional dress of Doctor Boston; and Charles, when he had a minute's leisure, wrote to Doctor Marshall to come to the admiral's directly.

The doctor was abroad amongst his patients when the note arrived, but he

posted to his friends as soon as he returned and received it. And what was his astonishment to find the admiral, Miss Caroline, and Charles, all agree. ably and friendly seated in the drawing-room!

The doctor could scarcely believe his eyes, for he had expected to encounter a hurricane of passion and prejudice; but, quoting a verse from the "Wisdom of the son of Sirach," he exclaimed, "The countenance is a sign of changing the heart ;" and, indeed, he was not mistaken.

The admiral advanced toward Doctor Marshall with a smile, saying, "Allow me, sir, to introduce you to Lieutenant Stuart. Miss Springfield has dubbed him Doctor Boston, Professor of Botany; and when he next lectures to us, I hope you will honour us with your presence."

The obliging Mr. Marshall, though

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