One of the happiest days of my life.

　　July 10. - The excitement and anxiety through which I have gone thelast few days have been almost enough to turn my hair grey. It is all butsettled. To-morrow the die will be cast. I have written a long letter toLupin - feeling it my duty to do so, - regarding his attention to Mrs. Posh,for they drove up to our house again last night.

　　July 11. - I find my eyes filling with tears as I pen the note of myinterview this morning with Mr. Perkupp. Addressing me, he said: "Myfaithful servant, I will not dwell on the important service you have doneour firm. You can never be sufficiently thanked. Let us change thesubject. Do you like your house, and are you happy where you are?"I replied: "Yes, sir; I love my house and I love the neighbourhood,and could not bear to leave it."Mr. Perkupp, to my surprise, said: "Mr. Pooter, I will purchase thefreehold of that house, and present it to the most honest and most worthyman it has ever been my lot to meet."He shook my hand, and said he hoped my wife and I would be sparedmany years to enjoy it. My heart was too full to thank him; and, seeingmy embarrassment, the good fellow said: "You need say nothing, Mr.

　　Pooter," and left the office.

　　I sent telegrams to Carrie, Gowing, and Cummings (a thing I havenever done before), and asked the two latter to come round to supper.

　　On arriving home I found Carrie crying with joy, and I sent Sarahround to the grocer's to get two bottles of "Jackson Freres."My two dear friends came in the evening, and the last post brought aletter from Lupin in reply to mine. I read it aloud to them all. It ran:

　　"My dear old Guv., - Keep your hair on. You are on the wrong tack again.

　　I am engaged to be married to 'Lillie Girl.' I did not mention it lastThursday, as it was not definitely settled. We shall be married in August,and amongst our guests we hope to see your old friends Gowing and Cummings. With much love to all, from THE SAME OLD LUPIN."

The End