Having thus concluded his address, the amiable cherub embraced his daughter, and took his flight to the steamboat which was to convey him to London, and was then lying at the floating pier, doing its best to bump the same to bits. But, the happy couple were not going to part with him in that way, and before he had been on board two minutes, there they were, looking down at him from the wharf above.

“Pa, dear!” cried Bella, beckoning him with her parasol to approach the side, and bending gracefully to whisper.

“Yes, my darling.”

“Did I beat you much with that horrid little bonnet, Pa?”

“Nothing to speak of; my dear.”

“Did I pinch your legs, Pa?”

“Only nicely, my pet.”