"As he is such a great friend of yours and Minnie's, I thought I had better warn you.

Perhaps you might like to try and teach him better behaviour, though I can't say as you are the person to do it.
And you may be pleased to hear that I should not wonder if I am shortly to be married to a _gentleman_, which it won't surprise you after that if I am unable to see anything more of you and your family." But for a violent storm which broke out after eleven that night, just as she finished these compositions, Polly would have posted them forthwith, and Mr.Gammon would in that case have received his letter by the first post next morning.

As it was they remained in Polly's room all night, and only an hour or two after their actual dispatch came the fateful telegram which was to make such a revolution in Miss Sparkes' sentiments and prospects.

Mrs.Clover duly received her missive, and gave a good deal of thought to it, Being a woman of some self-command she spoke no word of the matter to Minnie nor, though greatly tempted, did she pen a reply, but in a few days she sent a quiet invitation to Polly's father, desiring the pleasure of his company at tea on Sunday.
Mr.Sparkes came.

He was in very low spirits, for during the past week Chaffey's had disgraced itself (if Chaffey's _could_ now be disgraced) by supplying a supper at eighteen-pence per head, exclusive of liquors, to certain provincial representatives of the Rag, Bone, and Bottle Dealers' Alliance in town for the purpose of attending a public meeting.