"'Tell her also,' he added," pursued Pillichody, "'that I trust she will fulfil my last injunction.'"
"That I will," replied Patience. "Name it."
"He conjured you to marry me," replied Pillichody. "I am sure you will not hesitate to comply with the request."
"I don't believe a word of this," cried Patience. "Blaize was a great deal too jealous to bequeath me to another."
"Right, sweetheart, right," cried the individual in question, pushing open the door. "This has all been done to try your fidelity. I am now fully satisfied with your attachment; and am ready to marry you whenever you please."
"So this was all a trick," cried Patience, pettishly; "I wish I had known it, I would have retaliated upon you nicely. You ought to be ashamed of yourself, Major Pillichody, to lend a helping-hand in such a ridiculous affair."
"I did it to oblige my friend Blaize," replied Pillichody. "It was agreed between us that if you showed any inconstancy, you were to be mine."
"Indeed!" exclaimed Patience. "I would not advise you to repeat the experiment, Mr. Blaize."
"I never intend to do so, my angel," replied the porter. "I esteem myself the happiest and most fortunate of men."
"You have great reason to do so," observed Pillichody. "I do not despair of supplanting him yet," he muttered to himself. "And now, farewell!" he added aloud; "I am only in the way, and besides, I have no particular desire to encounter Mr. Bloundel or his apprentice;" and winking his solitary orb significantly at Patience, he strutted away. It was well he took that opportunity of departing, for the lovers' raptures were instantly afterwards interrupted by the appearance of Mr. Bloundel, who was greatly delighted to see the porter, and gave him a hearty welcome.