Chapter V.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 182, 3 August 1871, Page 7

Chapter V.

De Vere dined, as well as I, with the Moppins that evening ; they seemed to have given up the table d'hote, and we were the only guests in their comfortable lodgings. We (i.e. De Vere and Smith) were not friends yet ; he had an Englishman's love for his umbrella, and I had slighted that love. I made up my mind to apologise that night, as I turned over music for my angel at the cracked lodginsjhouse piano, and watched him making bad jokes to the grizzled Jane, who — poor old thin;? ! — certainly made a good pretence of laughing at them. Happiness ! If cutting out one's best friend with a girl be not happiness, I know not what is — 'tis Elysium ! At last it was time for us to go. I pressed Emily's hand with infinite meaning, took leave of the others, and went to the door.

"I brought an umbrella," said De Yere. Jane tured scarlet, and the old mother looked ready to faint. " You told me you'd lost it yesterday," I said. '• Yes, but I bought another to-day: I can't get on. without an umbrella! Hallo ! " to my astonishment he suddenly walked across the room, dived under the sofa close to che piano where my a.ngel was sitting, and pullecl out an umbrella,, " How very odd ! " he said. " How very odd ! " said all the family.

" How could it have got there VI wondered.

" How, indeed ? " wondered all the family.

" Emily ! " said Pere Moffin, after a moment's pause — " do you know 1 " " How should I, pa 1 " asked a dulcet voice.

De Vere and I walked silently home to bed. I forgot to apologise for the last night. t "I can't stand this, lie said next morning, at breakfast ; we're bewitched. I must have an umbrella, and I verily believe the Moppins have stolen the other two, and tried to steal this," and he clutched it fiercely.

"Sir," I said, with dignity — and I can be most dignified — " insult me, if

yon please, but do not presume to insult her family." " Her family I— why ? " " I interrupted him. "She will be Mrs. Smith."

He started. "Surely, Smy, you can't be such a fool ! "

It. was too much. " Silence ! " I thundered, " and keep your jealous anger for those who mind it ! " We parted, for ever ; he left Bonn that day and went back to England, with his umbrella. Dear Oggy ! Had I but known — But again I anticipate.

umbrella.