"Is that all, my love?" said Mrs. Grunter.

"All, Mamma?-Is not my character "at stake?-Can I ever hold up my "head again after such a slip ?—If

66

papa don't help me, I must apply to "Charles--but that is an alternative "I would, willingly, avoid: I should be

16

so much in his power afterwards..... "Oh, my dear Mamma, what a wretch "I have married, to leave me exposed "to all this unnecessary mortification!"

"Attendez-my love

"You must be dying with the head "ache to-night, and tie up in a mob→→

meanwhile, take your jewels-if they "are insufficient I will lend you some of "mine-to Parker's: borrow two

"thousand pounds for the chances of "the evening, and we will, afterwards,

"Robbed, Mamma!-la, how shocking!"

66 But you shall be the pretty thief, my "love the bank shall be robbed by a gang of daring villains, who shall

break into the house, and carry off the treasure. We will apply to Bow"Street-hand-bills shall be printed"rewards offered-it will be charming "gossip for the town-then, in the "morning, you shall redeem the jewels, "and we will divide the remainder of "the bank between us-what say you?"

"Oh, my dear sweet, sweet Mamma “—what a blessing it is to have such "an own dear, dear mamma!-But "where is my sister? She would be "an áble coadjutor ?"

"Left town yesterday, for a few "days. Jemmy is gone with her."

While these refined politicians were thus honorably engaged, Edward was ill

at ease.

He, also, had been unsuccessful; and was obliged to borrow four thousand from a Jew, to satisfy a debt of honor. But Moses would be secure-and Edward was compelled to grant a warrant of attorney, payable in ten days-nine of which were expired-and he was meditating to borrow money from his

wife, when she, so unopportunely, an ticipated him.

In this position of affairs, the following morning dawned: and with it the story of the robbery.

Nothing could exceed the commotion in the great world-Rob a faro bank!What sacrilege!

The whole town presented itself at Mrs. Ormsby's doors-she showed the forced locks the trace of their dirty