Year: 1868




quantity of articles while she was
being waited on, and though the shop
man missed them, be could not detect
how they disappeared, yet bis suspicious
were so aroused that the person was
followed and given in charge. Who
or where were her accomplices did not
appear, but only one of the many
stolen articles, among which were two
dresses, cloak, &c, were found on
her person. The remainder, which the
shopman swore to her having taken,
were forthcoming Mr.. Raven seemed
much entertained, and enlarged on the
fashion of crinoline, which he suspected
had to answer for many such occur
reuces.


From the day Of her expedition to
Brighton change came over Fanny.
She was unsettled, and independent to
degree. Neither her grandmother
or aunt appeared to have any influence
over her. They did not approve of her
going out to evening entertainments,
as she now constantly did alone with
Mr.. Raven. But there was always
some plausible pretext alleged. She
had also many presents Of dress given
her for particular occasions, as she
would not listen to any advice from us;
therefore, we were all very pleased at
the prospect of her fathers arrival, feel
ing that until she was married it was
but right so young a girl should be
under more control. Mr.. Raven was
certainly as agreeable as ever to
each of us individually, though can
didly own my faith in his judgment
was shaken, for he must have seen that
Mrs. Green was not satisfied with
Fanny's conduct. Yet he never checked
her saucy replies, or persuaded her to
yield to her grandmothers wishes.
Besides, / felt convinced that his work,
as he called it, and for which he had
come into seclusion, did not advance;
for l had been curious enough to salts
fy myself as to the amount of candle
burnt at night, and certainly during the
day his time was otherwise occupied.
1t was very well, no doubt, to be in love,
but love- making all day scarcely suited
an authors dignity,-at least, so l
thought; but Fanny told me l was an
old maid, who knew nothing about
such matters, and thus | was silenced.
On Mr.. Samuel Green's arrival his
mother had long conversation with
him respecting Fanny's prospects. She
spoke in the highest terms of Mr.. Ra-
Ven's talents and character. Said she
con sidered him one of the most amable
of men, That his liberality to Fanny
had been unbounded for not only had
he provided her with very handsome
articles of dress, but last week had
brought her some valuable trinkets,
among others set of remarkable pink
topaz. They had, he said, belonged to
his mother, but he had lately had them
reset for Fanny. She also wore on her
engaged finger valuable diamond ring,
of course, present from Mr.. Raven.


At the same time Mrs. Green said
she was not quite satisfied that it was
the right thing for Fanny to be out SO
much alone with Mr.. Raven, especially
of an evening, aud that she should be
more pleased if, instead of taking her
to places of public amusement, he intro
duced her to some of his many friends.
Mr. Green seemed to think so too, and
said it was rather peculiar, his fatherly
pride in Fanny deeming her fit for any
society, and a girl no one need be
ashamed of. Mrs. Green then said
there might be some cause, and gave
her son Mr.. Ravens asserted reasons
for privacy She also mentioned that
he had paid a portion of Captain Bed
ford's debt, and hesitatingly added (for,
dear old soul, she did not like any slight
suspicion on her part to color Mr.
Green's wews), that though he was GER
tainly in her debt, she thought he would
soon settle with her; at any rate, it
would be preparatory and wise step
for her son to sound him as to his pros
poets in regard to his daughters future,
and also when he proposed to marry.
Here Mr.. Green had a somewhat diff
cult part to plays for if we let our read
ers behind the scenes, he had not six
pence he could call his own; and had
Mr.. Raven chosen to inquire into the
antecedents of his future father-in- law,
it is to be feared the inquiry would not
have elected very satisfactory results
In plain words, Mr. Green was one of
those spendthrift Uaut rien fellows who
hang on society, contriving to live at
the expense of their fellow-creatures
by feeding their vanity and conducting
to their pleasures in making themselves
useful in their daily round of smuse-
ments. All this, of course, must be
kept back from Mr.. Raven, as it was
important to Mr.. Green that his daughter
should marry well. BY his mothers
account the match was a desirable one,
that is, if the gentleman proved to be
all he was represented. Fanny once
we'll settled, there would be another
home open for him; so everything rec.
commended caution on his part to work
out his plan and to play the important
role of prudent father. On the day
of Mr.. Green's arrival, Mr.. Raven hat
gone out early. He was generally very
punctual, and not having intimateC
that he might be detained, when sil
o,clnck cana we Maited more than al