Edwin. "I think it very ugly."

Emma. "How can you, Edwin! Why, I think it so very distingué. I must have it; do buy it, there's a dear."

Edwin. "Now, come along, darling—I'm in a hurry."

Emma. "Well, if you wont, I will—I'll buy it myself, and make you a present of it, Edwin."

Edwin. "Psha! that's nonsense, child."

Edwin and Emma leave at last, and after dinner, when they are happy in assuring each other for the ten thousandth time that "they never knew what love was before," the new purchases arrive, and the bill is brought in.

The future husband reads out the following bill

£s.d.
To a beautiful historical Louis Quatorze French bedstead, designed by Chalon (very cheap)3500
To one Egyptian clothes-horse, the favourite design of Edwin Landseer15100
To one "blackman's teapot," in the very best superfine wedgwood (a rich curiosity)724½
To a magnificent blind—a pure Corbould40100
To six Gothic Swan-of-Avon Egyptian chairs6000
To one Stonehenge dressing-table26112
To one Grecian washing-stand (a decided bargain).10200
————————————
Sum total£286136½

We need not repeat the lady's fierce commentaries, or the gentleman's running fire of explosive criticisms upon the various items of the above little bill. Suffice it to say, the art-manufacture goods were returned, and Edwin and Emma bought at an auction the next day articles that suited their purpose just as well for 12l. 14s. They admitted the superior beauty of Mr. Felix Summerley's Art-Manufactures, but the expense, they both agreed, was "quite preposterous."

Edwin and Emma are married now, and are still of the same opinion, so we cannot help thinking that they must have been in the right.