“The person that first entered was Mr. Bromley.  He instantly
    seized hold of Burchel, and shook him very heartily by the hand.

    “Ha, my boy, said he, have we found you?  Well, and how? safe and
    sound?  Eh? clapping him upon the shoulder.

    “At your service, sir, answered Burchel, with an air of
    embarrassment and hesitation.

“It was not altogether the right thing, methinks, to leave us all without saying why, or wherefore, and stay out all night.  Why we thought you had been murdered.  My niece here has been in hysterics.

“’Pon honour, cried sir Charles, you are very facetious.  But we heard, Mr. Burchel, you were ran away with.  It must have been very alarming.  I vow, I should have been quite fluttered.  Pray, sir, how was it?

    “Why, indeed, interposed Mr. Townshend, the very relation seemed
    to disturb sir Charles.  For my part, I was more alarmed for him
    than for Miss Bromley.

    “Well, but, returned Bromley, impatiently, it is a queer affair. 
    I hope as the lady went so far, you were not shy.  You have not
    spoiled all, and affronted her.

“Oh, surely not, exclaimed Townshend, you do not suspect him of being such a boor.  Doubtless every thing is settled by this time.  The lady has a fine fortune, Burchel; poets do not meet with such every day; Miss Bromley, you look pale.

    “Ha!  Ha!  Ha! you do me infinite honour, cried Louisa, making him
    a droll curtesy; what think you, sir Charles?

    “’Pon my soul, I never saw you look so bewitchingly.

    “Well, but my lad, cried Bromley, you say nothing, don’t answer
    a single question.  What, mum’s the word, eh?

    “Indeed, sir, I do not know,—­I do not understand—­the affair is
    entirely a mystery to myself—­it is in the power of no one but
    Miss Seymour to explain it.

    “Well, and where is she? where is she?

    “O I will go and look her, cried Louisa; will you come, Sir
    Charles; and immediately tripped out of the room.  Sir Charles
    followed.

    “Olivia had remained in too much confusion to withdraw farther
    than the next room; and upon this new intrusion, she threw
    herself upon a sopha, and covered her face with her hands.

    “O here is the stray bird, exclaimed Louisa, fluttering in the
    meshes.

    “Mr. Bromley immediately entered; Mr. Townshend followed;
    Burchel brought up the rear.

    “My dearest creature, cried Louisa, do not be alarmed.  We are
    come to wish you joy; and seized one of her hands.

    “Well, but where’s the parson? exclaimed Bromley—­What, has
    grace been said, the collation served, and the cloth removed? 
    Upon my word, you have been very expeditious, Miss.