"New Light.—The matter which the fire in ——- Street failed to illumine has, we understand, been illustrated by no less an individual than John Bunyan, Tinker at Elstow. Everything may be reduced to an allegory; the world itself is an allegory; and this scrap of ours is nothing but an allegory."
Samuel laid down the paper.
"What can this mean?" said he. "If this be not an allegory, I know not what is."
"Ah, sir, you are a man this day to be envied," said Miss M'Falzen, who now entered. "You have proved yourself to be an honest man. I was sure of it; and you know, Samuel, when all deserted you, I stuck fast by you, and even gave the—the—excuse me, sir—the consent you asked of me, while you had no prospect before you in this bad world other than beggary."
"What consent, ma'am?" replied Mr Thriven, with a face that displayed no more curiosity than it did love.
"Bless me, Mr Thriven, do you forget?—Is it possible that you can have forgotten so interesting an occasion?"
"I believe, by the by, ma'am, you have called for your debts," said Mr Thriven.
"Debt!" ejaculated the devout spinster. "Why should there be any debt between two people situated as we are. Why should not all claims be extinguished by the mixture of what Mr Sharp calls the goods in communion. If I take this money from you to-day, won't I be giving it back after the ceremony. True, my small fortune is now nothing to yours; yet I will remember with pleasure, and you will never surely forget, that all I had was at your service when you had lost all you had in the world; so, you see, my dear Samuel, if you have this day proved yourself to have a noble spirit, I am not behind you."
"What is the exact amount of your claim, Miss M'Falzen?" said Mr Thriven, with a determination to distance sentiment.
"And would you really pay it, cruel, cruel man?" said she, somewhat alarmed.