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them leave it all; let us but escape from this horrible | should obtain legal advice as to the mode of obtainplace."

We have mentioned elsewhere, that Nigel was a very athletic young man, and, impelled by a strong feeling of compassion and indignation, he showed his bodily strength singularly on this occasion, by seizing on the ponderous strong-box, and, by means of the rope he had cast around it, throwing it on his shoulders, and marching resolutely forward under a weight, which would have sunk to the earth three young gallants, at the least, of our degenerate day. The waterman followed him in amazement, calling out, "Why, master, master, you might as well gie me t'other end on't!" and anon offered his assistance to support it in some degree behind, which after the first minute or two Nigel was fain to accept. His strength was almost exhausted when he reached the wherry, which was lying at the Temple Stairs according to appointment; and, when he pitched the trunk into it, the weight sank the bow of the boat so low in the water as wellnigh to overset it.

"We shall have as hard a fare of it," said the waterman to his companion, "as if we were ferrying over an honest bankrupt with all his secreted goods -Ho, ho! good woman, what are you stepping in for?-our gunwale lies deep enough in the water without live lumber to boot.'

ing justice on her fathers murderer. She had no hesitation to charge the guilt upon Colepepper, (commonly called Peppercull,) whom she knew to be as capable of any act of treacherous cruelty, as he was cowardly, where actual manhood was required. He had been strongly suspected of two robberies before, one of which was coupled with an atrocious murder. He had, she intimated, made pretensions to her hand as the easiest and safest way of obtaining possession of her father's wealth; and, on her refusing his addresses, if they could be termed so, in the most positive terms, he had thrown out such obscure hints of vengeance, as, joined with some imperfect assaults upon the house, had kept her in frequent alarm, both on her father's account and her own.

Nigel, but that his feeling of respectful delicacy to the unfortunate woman forbade him to do so, could here have communicated a circumstance corroborative of her suspicions, which had already occurred to his own mind. He recollected the hint that old Hildebrod threw forth on the preceding night, that some communication betwixt himself and Colepepper had hastened the catastrophe. As this communication related to the plan which Hildebrod had been pleased to form, of promoting a marriage betwixt Nigel himself and the rich heiress of Trapbois, the fear of losing "This person comes with me," said Lord Glenvar- an opportunity not to be regained, together with the loch; "she is for the present under my protection." mean malignity of a low-bred ruffian disappointed in "Come, come, master," rejoined the fellow, “that a favourite scheme, was most likely to instigate the is out of my commission. You must not double my bravo to the deed of violence which had been comfreight on me—she may go by land-and, as for pro-mitted. The reflection that his own name was in tection, her face will protect her from Berwick to the some degree implicated with the causes of this horLand's End." rid tragedy, doubled Lord Glenvarloch's anxiety in behalf of the victim whom he had rescued, while at the same time he formed the tacit resolution, that, so soon as his own affairs were put upon some footing, he would contribute all in his power towards the investigation of this bloody affair.

"You will not except at my doubling the loading, if I double the fare?" said Nigel, determined on no account to relinquish the protection of this unhappy woman, for which he had already devised some sort of plan, likely now to be baffled by the characteristic rudeness of the Thames watermen.

Ay, by G-, but I will except, though," said the fellow with the green plush jacket; "I will overload my wherry neither for love nor money-I love my boat as well as my wife, and a thought better."

"Nay, nay, comrade," said his mate, "that is speaking no true water language. For double fare we are bound to row a witch in her eggshell if she bid us; and so pull away, Jack, and let us have no more prating."

They got into the stream-way accordingly, and, although heavily laden, began to move down the river with reasonable speed.

After ascertaining from his companion that she could form no better plan of her own, he recommended to her to take up her lodging for the time, at the house of his old landlord, Christie the ship-chandler, at Paul's Wharf, describing the decency and honesty of that worthy couple, and expressing his hopes that they would receive her into their own house, or recommend her at least to that of some person for whom they would be responsible, until she should have time to enter upon other arrangements for herself.

The poor woman received advice so grateful to her in her desolate condition, with an expression of thanks, brief indeed, but deeper than any thing had yet extracted from the austerity of her natural disposition.

The lighter vessels which passed, overtook, or crossed them, in their course, failed not to assail them with the boisterous raillery, which was then called water-wit; for which the extreme plainness of Mis- Lord Glenvarloch then proceeded to inform Martha, tress Martha's features, contrasted with the youth, that certain reasons, connected with his personal safehandsome figure, and good looks of Nigel, furnished ty, called him immediately to Greenwich, and, therethe principal topics; while the circumstance of the fore, it would not be in his power to accompany her boat being somewhat overloaded, did not escape their to Christie's house, which he would otherwise have notice. They were hailed successively, as a grocer's done with pleasure; but tearing a leaf from his tablet, wife upon a party of pleasure with her eldest ap- he wrote on it a few lines, addressed to his landlord, prentice as an old woman carrying her grandson to as a man of honesty and humanity, in which he deschool-and as a young strapping Irishman, con- scribed the bearer as a person who stood in singular veving an ancient maiden to Dr. Rigmarole's at Red-necessity of temporary protection and good advice, riffe, who buckles beggars for a tester and a dram of for which her circumstances enabled her to make Geneva. All this abuse was retorted in a similar ample acknowledgment. He therefore requested strain of humour by Green-jacket and his compa- John Christie, as his old and good friend, to afford nion, who maintained the war of wit with the same her the shelter of his roof for a short time; or, if that alacrity with which they were assailed. might not be consistent with his convenience, at least to direct her to a proper lodging-and, finally, he imposed on him the additional, and somewhat more difficult commission, to recommend her to the counsel and services of an honest, at least a reputable and skilful attorney, for the transacting some law business of importance. This note he subscribed with his real name, and, delivering it to his protegée, who received it with another deeply uttered I thank you," which spoke the sterling feelings of her gratitude better than a thousand combined phrases, he commanded the waterman to pull in for Paul's Wharf, which they were now approaching. "We have not time," said Green-jacket; not be stopping every instant.'

Meanwhile, Lord Glenvarloch asked his desolate companion if she had thought on any place where she could remain in safety with her property. She confessed in more detail than formerly, that her father's character had left her no friends; and that, from the time he had betaken himself to Whitefriars, to escape certain legal consequences of his eager pursuit of gain, she had lived a life of total seclusion; not associating with the society which the place afforded, and, by her residence there, as well as her father's parsimony, effectually cut off from all other company. What she now wished, was, in the first place, to obtain the shelter of a decent lodging, and the countenance of honest people, however low in life, until she

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CHAP. XXVI.J

THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL.

But, upon Nigel insisting upon his commands beang obeyed, and adding, that it was for the purpose of putting the lady ashore, the waterman declared he would rather have her room than her company, and put the wherry alongside of the wharf accordingly. Here two of the porters, who ply in such places, were easily induced to undertake the charge of the ponderous strong-box, and at the same time to guide the owner to the well-known mansion of John Christie, with whom all who lived in that neighbourhood were perfectly acquainted.

The boat, much lightened of its load, went down the Thames at a rate increased in proportion. But we must forbear to pursue her in her voyage for a few minutes, since we have previously to mention the issue of Lord Glenvarloch's recommendation.

ship-chandler approached, but in a surly manner, and
bearing his hand on his sword-hilt rather in the act of
one who was losing habitual forbearance and caution
of deportment, than as alarmed by the attack of an
antagonist inferior to himself in youth, strength, and
weapons.

"Bide back," he said, "Maister Christie-I say
bide back, and consult your safety, man. I have
evited striking you in your ain house under muckle
here may pronounce respecting burglary and hame-
provocation, because I am ignorant how the laws
sucken, and such matters; and, besides, I would not
willingly hurt ye, man, e'en on the causeway, that is
free to us baith, because I mind your kindness of lang
ture. But deil d-n me, sir, and I am not wont to
syne, and partly consider ye as a poor deceived crea-
swear, but if you touch my Scotch shouther with
that shule of yours, I will make six inches of my An-
drew Ferrara deevilish intimate with your guts,
neighbour."

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Mistress Martha Trapbois reached the shop in perfect safety, and was about to enter it, when a sickening sense of the uncertainty of her situation, and of And therewithal, though still retreating from the the singularly painful task of telling her story, came over her so strongly, that she paused a moment at the very threshold of her proposed place of refuge, to brandished shovel, he made one third of the basketthink in what manner she could best second the re-hilted broadsword which he wore, visible from the commendation of the friend whom Providence had sheath. The wrath of John Christie was abated, raised up to her. Had she possessed that knowledge either by his natural temperance of disposition, or of the world, from which her habits of life had com- perhaps in part by the glimmer of cold steel, which "I would do well to cry clubs on thee, and have pletely excluded her, she might have known that the flashed on him from his adversary's last action. large sum of money which she brought along with her, might, judiciously managed, have been a pass- thee ducked at the wharf," he said grounding his port to her into the mansions of nobles, and the palaces shovel, however, at the same time, for a paltry of princes. But, however conscious of its general swaggerer, that would draw thy bit of iron there on power, which assumes so many forms and complex- an honest citizen before his own door; but get thee ions, she was so inexperienced as to be most unne- gone, and reckon on a salt eel for thy supper, if thou cessarily afraid that the means by which the wealth shouldst ever come near my house again. I wish it gave the use of its roof to smooth-faced, oily-tongued, had been acquired, might exclude its inheritrix from had been at the bottom of the Thames when it first shelter even in the house of an humble tradesman. double-minded Scots thieves!"

"I'll hear no more on't," said the personage who first appeared on the scene.-"Sir, I will hear no more on it. Besides being a most false and impudent figment, as I can testify-it is Scandaalum Magnaatum, sir-Scandaalum Magnaatum," he reiterated with a broad accentuation of the first vowel, well known in the colleges of Edinburgh and Glasgow, which we can only express in print by doubling the said first of letters and of vowels, and which would have cheered the cockles of the reigning monarch had he been within hearing, -as he was a severer stickler for what he deemed the genuine pronunciation of the Roman tongue, than for any of the royal prerogatives, for which he was at times disposed to insist so strenuously in his speeches to Parliament.

"I care not an ounce of rotten cheese," said John Christie in reply," what you call it but it is TRUE; and I am a free Englishman, and have right to speak the truth in my own concerns; and your master is little better than a villain, and you are no more than a swaggering coxcomb, whose head I will presently break, as I have known it well broken before on lighter occasion."

And, so saying, he flourished the paring-shovel which usually made clean the steps of his little shop, and which he had caught up as the readiest weapon of working his foeman damage, and advanced therewith upon him. The cautious Scot (for such our readers must already have pronounced him, from his language and pedantry) drew back as the enraged

And, if you continue your insolence to me before my own door, were it but two minutes longer," remake your Scottish ankles acquainted with an Engtorted John Christie, "I will call the constable, and lish pair of stocks!"

So saying, he turned to retire into his shop with some show of victory; for his enemy, whatever might be his innate valour, manifested no desire to drive matters to extremity-conscious, perhaps, that whatever advantage he might gain in single combat with John Christie, would be more than overbalanced by incurring an affair with the constituted authorities of Old England, not at that time apt to be particularly favourable to their new fellow-subjects, in the various successive broils which were then constantly taking place between the individuals of two proud nations, who still retained a stronger sense of their national for a few years under the government of the same animosity during centuries, than of their late union prince.

Mrs. Martha Trapbois had dwelt too long in Alsatia, to be either surprised or terrified at the altercation she had witnessed. Indeed, she only wondered that the debate did not end in some of those acts of violence by which they were usually terminated in the Sancshe, who had no idea that the cause of the quarrel tuary. As the disputants separated from each other, was more deeply rooted than in the daily scenes of the same nature which she had heard of or witnessed, did not hesitate to stop Master Christie in his return to his shop, and present to him the letter which Lord Glen varloch had given to her. Had she been better acquainted with life and its business, she would cer tainly have waited for a more temperate moment; and

THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL.

she had reason to repent of her precipitation, when,
without saying a single word, or taking the trouble to
gather more of the information contained in the let-
ter than was expressed in the subscription, the incen-
sed ship-chandler threw it down on the ground,
trampled it in high disdain, and, without addressing
a single word to the bearer, except, indeed, something
much more like a hearty curse than was perfectly
consistent with his own grave appearance, he retired
into his shop and shut the hatch-door.

It was with the most inexpressible anguish that the
desolate, friendless, and unhappy female, thus beheld
her sole hope of succour, countenance, and protection,
vanish at once, without being able to conceive a rea-
son; for to do her justice, the idea that her friend,
whom she knew by the name of Nigel Grahame, had
imposed on her, a solution which might readily have
occurred to many in her situation, never once entered
her mind. Although it was not her temper easily to
bend her mind to entreaty, she could not help ex-
claiming after the ireful and retreating ship-chandler,
"Good Master, hear me but a moment! for mer-
cy's sake, for honesty's sake!"

'Mercy and honesty from him, mistress!" said the Scol, who, though he essayed not to interrupt the retreat of his antagonist, still kept stout possession of the field of action,-"ye might as weel expect brandy from bean-stalks, or milk from a craig of blue whunstane. The man is mad, horn mad, to boot."

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[CHAP. XXVII.

with men's devices-ahem! Weel, and if ye be an honest woman," (here he peeped under her muffler,) let me tell you, they are a kind of cattle not so rife "as an honest woman ye seem likely to be-though, in the streets of this city as I would desire them-I was almost strangled with my own band by twa rampallians, wha wanted yestreen, nae farther gane, to harle me into a change-house-however, if ye be a decent honest woman," (here he took another peep at fer suspicion,) features certainly bearing no beauty which could inwhy, I will advise you to a decent house, where you will get douce, quiet entertainment, on reasonable as decent and honest ye seem to be, terms, and the occasional benefit of my own counsel and direction-that is, from time to time, as my other avocations may permit."

him amusement, it is owing in a great degree to this cause that we never found ourselves in company with the stupidest of all possible companions in a post-chaise, or with the most arrant cumber-corner that ever occupied a place in the mail-coach, without finding, that, in the course of our conversation with him, we had some ideas suggested to us, either grave or gay, or some information communicated in the course of our journey, which we should have regretted not to have learned, and which we should be sorsomewhat immured within the Bastile of his rank, as ry to have immediately forgotten. But Nigel was some philosopher (Tom Paine, we think) has happily enough expressed that sort of shyness which men of dignified situations are apt to be beset with, rather from not exactly knowing how far, or with whom, they ought to be familiar, than from any real touch

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THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL.

of aristocratic pride. Besides, the immediate pressure of our adventurer's own affairs was such as exclusively to engross his attention.

He sat, therefore, wrapt in his cloak, in the stern of the boat, with his mind entirely bent upon the probable issue of the interview with his Sovereign, which it was his purpose to seek; for which abstraction of mind he may be fully justified, although, perhaps, by questioning the watermen who were transporting him down the river, he might have discovered matters of high concernment to him.

At any rate, Nigel remained silent till the wherry approached the town of Greenwich, when he commanded the men to put in for the nearest landingplace, as it was his purpose to go ashore there, and dismiss them from farther attendance.

"That is not possible," said the fellow with the green jacket, who, as we have already said, seemed to take on himself the charge of pilotage. "We must go," he continued, "to Gravesend, where a Scottish vessel, which dropt down the river last tide for the very purpose, lies with her anchor a-peak, waiting to carry you to your own dear northern country. Your hammock is slung, and all is ready for you, and you talk of going ashore at Greenwich, as seriously as if such a thing were possible!"

"I see no impossibility," said Nigel, "in your landing me where I desire to be landed; but very little possibility of your carrying me any where I am not desirous of going."

"Why, whether do you manage the wherry, or we, master?" asked Green-jacket, in a tone betwixt jest and earnest; "I take it she will go the way we row

"Ay," retorted Nigel, "but I take it you will row her on the course I direct you, otherwise your chance of payment is but a poor one."

Suppose we are content to risk that," said the undaunted waterman, "I wish to know how you, who talk so big-I mean no offence, master, but you do talk big-would help yourself in such a case?"

"Simply thus," answered Lord Glenvarloch-"You saw me, an hour since, bring down to the boat a trunk that neither of you could lift. If we are to contest the destination of our voyage, the same strength which tossed that chest into the wherry, will suffice to fling you out of it; wherefore, before we begin the scuffle, I pray you to remember, that, whither I would there I will oblige you to carry me."

go
Gramercy for your kindness," said Green-jacket;
"and now mark me in return. My comrade and I
are two men-and you, were you as stout as George-
a-Green, can pass but for one; and two, you will al-
low, are more than a match for one. You mistake
in your reckoning, my friend."

It is you who mistake," answered Nigel, who be-
gan to grow warm; "it is I who am three to two,
sirrah-I carry two men's lives at my girdle."

So saying, he opened his cloak and showed the two pistols which he had disposed at his girdle. Greenjacket was unmoved at the display.

"I have got," said he, "a pair of barkers that will match yours," and he showed that he also was armed with pistols; "so you may begin as soon as you list." "Then," said Lord Glenvarloch, drawing forth and cocking a pistol, "the sooner the better. Take notice, I hold you as a ruffian, who have declared you will put force on my person; and that I will shoot you through the head if you do not instantly put me ashore at Greenwich."

to your own country; you will be equally out of my
fore you."
reach either way. But it is fair to put the choice be-

My choice is made," said Nigel. "I have told you
thrice already it is my pleasure to be landed at Green-
wich."

"Write it on a piece of paper," said the waterman,
"that such is your positive will; I must have some-
thing to show to my employers, that the transgression
"I choose to hold this trinket in my hand for the
of their orders lies with yourself, not with me."
present," said Nigel, showing his pistol, "and will
"I would not go ashore with you for a hundred
'Ill luck has ever at-
write you the acquittance when I go ashore."
tended you, except in small gaming; do me fair jus-
pieces," said the waterman.
tice, and give me the testimony I desire. If you are
afraid of foul play while you write it, you may hold
my pistols, if you will." He offered the weapons to
Nigel accordingly, who, while they were under his
control, and all possibility of his being taken at ad-
vantage was excluded, no longer hesitated to give the
waterman an acknowledgment, in the following
terms:-

"Jack in the Green, with his mate, belonging to
the wherry called the Jolly Raven, have done their
duty faithfully by me, landing me at Greenwich by my
express command; and being themselves willing and
sently lying at Gravesend.", Having finished this ac-
desirous to carry me on board the Royal Thistle, pre-
knowledgment, which he signed with the letters, N.
O. G. as indicating his name and title, he again re-
vered it, the name of his employers.
quested to know of the waterman, to whom he deli-

"Sir," replied Jack in the Green, "I have respected
would do you no good to know for whom I am taking
your secret, do not you seek to pry into mine. It
this present trouble; and, to be brief, you shall not
know it-and, if you will fight in the quarrel, as you
this you may be cock-sure of, that we designed you
said even now, the sooner we begin the better. Only
no harm, and that, if you fall into any, it will be of
your own wilful seeking." As he spoke, they ap-
proached the landing-place, where Nigel instantly
jumped ashore. The waterman placed his small mail-
trunk on the stairs, observing that there were plenty
"We part friends, I hope, my lads," said the young
of spare hands about, to carry it where he would.
nobleman, offering at the same time a piece of money
"We part as we met," answered Green-jacket;
more than double the usual fare, to the boatmen.
"and, for your money, I am paid sufficiently with this
bit of paper. Only, if you owe me any love for the cast
the pockets of the next apprentice that you find fool
I have given you, I pray you not to dive so deep into
enough to play the cavalier.-And you, you greedy
longing eye fixed on the money which Nigel continued
swine," said he to his companion, who still had a
to offer, push off, or, if I take a stretcher in hand,
ed off, as he was commanded, but still could not help
I'll break the knave's pate of thee." The fellow push-
muttering, "This was entirely out of waterman's
rules."

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"The hallow'd soil which gave Eliza birth," her successor. It was not, as has been well shown whose halls were now less respectably occupied by The other waterman, alarmed at Nigel's gesture, by a late author, that James was void either of parts lay upon his oar; but Green-jacket replied coolly-or of good intentions; and his predecessor was at "Look you, master, I should not care a tester to ven- least as arbitrary in effect as he was in theory. But, ture a life with you on this matter; but the truth is, while Elizabeth possessed a sternness of masculine weaknesses, some of which were in themselves suffiI am employed to do you good, and not to do you sense and determination which rendered even her ciently ridiculous, in a certain degree respectable, "firm resolve," so well called by the Scottish bard, James, on the other hand, was so utterly devoid of "The stalk of carle-hemp in man," that even his virtues and his good meaning became laughable, from the whimsical uncertainty of his conduct; so that the wisest things he ever said, and

"By whom are you employed?" said the Lord Glenvarloch; "or who dare concern themselves in me, or my affairs, without my authority?"

As to that," answered the waterman, in the same tone of indifference, "I shall not show my commisFor myself, I care not, as I said, whether you land at Greenwich to get yourself hanged, or go down to get aboard the Royal Thistle, to make your escape

THE FORTUNES OF NIGEL.

the best actions he ever did, were often touched with | nor my Lord Duke of Lennox, nor Lord Dalgarno, a strain of the ludicrous and fidgety character of the-nay, I am sure, sir, if I touched you this time, it [CHAP. XXVII, man. Accordingly, though at different periods of his was your fault, not mine.-But a single drop of the reign he contrived to acquire with his people a certain styptic, another little patch that would make a degree of temporary popularity, it never long outlived doublet for a flea, just under the left moustache; it the occasion which produced it; so true it is, that the will become you when you smile, sir, as well as a mass of mankind will respect a monarch stained dimple; and if you would salute your fair mistresswith actual guilt, more than one whose foibles ren- but I beg pardon, you are a grave gentleman, very der him only ridiculous. it is my duty to entertain customers-my duty, sir, and my pleasure-Sir Munko Malcrowther?-yes, grave to be so young.-Hope I have given no offence; sir, I dare say he is at this moment in Ned's eatinghouse, for few folks ask him out, now Lord Huntinglen is gone to London. You will get touched again-yes, sir-there you shall find him with his can of single ale, stirred with a sprig of rosemary, for he never drinks strong potations, sir, unless to oblige Lord Huntinglen-take heed, sir-or any other person who asks him forth to breakfast-but single beer he always drinks at Ned's, with his broiled bone of beef or mutton-or, it may be, lamb at the seasonbut not pork, though Ned is famous for his griskins. But the Scots never eat pork-strange that! some folk think they are a sort of Jews. There is a resemblance, sir,-Do you not think so? Then they call our most gracious Sovereign the second Solomon, and Solomon, you know, was king of the Jews; will find yourself trimmed now to your content. I will be judged by the fair mistress of your affections. so the thing bears a face, you see. I believe, sir, you Crave pardon-no offence, I trust. Pray, consult the glass-one touch of the crisping tongs, to reduce this straggler. Thank your munificence, sir-hope your custom while you stay in Greenwich. Would you have a tune on that ghittern, to put your temper in concord for the day?-Twang, twang-twang, twang, dillo. Something out of tune, sir-too many hands to touch it-we cannot keep these things like artists. Let me help you with your cloak, sir-yes, Way to Sir Munko's eating-house?-Yes, sir; but it is Ned's eating-house, not Sir Munko's.-The knight, sir-You would not play yourself, sir, would you? Yes, sir-Malcrowder, sir, as you say, sir-hard house in some sense, sir-ha, ha! Yonder it is, renames the Scots have, sir, for an English mouth. moved from over the way, new whitewashed posts, to be sure, eats there, and that makes it his eatingSir Munko is a handsome person, sir-perhaps you and red lattice-fat man in his doublet at the door know him-bating the loss of his fingers, and the Ned himself, sir-worth a thousand pounds, they say lameness of his leg, and the length of his chin. Sir,-better singeing pigs' faces than trimming courtiers it takes me one minute, twelve seconds, more time-but ours is the less mechanical vocation.-Fareto trim that chin of his, than any chin that I know well, sir; hope your custom." in the town of Greenwich, sir. But he is a very length permitted Nigel to depart, whose ears, so long comely gentleman, for all that; and a pleasant-a tormented with his continued babble, tingled when it very pleasant gentleman, sir-and a good-humoured, had ceased, as if a bell had been rung close to them So saying, he at saving that he is so deaf he can never hear good of for the same space of time. any one, and so wise, that he can never believe it; but he is a very good-natured gentleman for all that, except when one speaks too low, or when a hair turns awry.-Did I graze you, sir? We shall put it to rights in a moment, with one drop of styptic-my styptic, or rather my wife's, sir-She makes the water herself. One drop of the styptic, sir, and a bit of black taffeta patch, just big enough to be the saddle to a flea, sir-Yes, sir, rather improves than otherwise. The Prince had a patch the other day, and so had the Duke; and, if you will believe me, there are seventeen yards three quarters of black taffeta already cut into patches for the courtiers."

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posed to meet with Sir Mungo Malagrowther, from whom, in despair of better advice, he trusted to reUpon his arrival at the eating-house, where he proceive some information as to the best mode of introducing himself into the royal presence, Lord Glenvarloch found, in the host with whom he communed, the consequential taciturnity of an Englishman well to pass in the world. Ned Kilderkin spoke as a banker writes, only touching the needful. Being asked if Sir Mungo Malagrowther was there? he replied, No. Being interrogated whether he was expected? he said, Yes. And being again required to As Lord Glenvarloch next inquired, whether he himsay when he was expected, he answered, Presently. not even a syllable in reply, but, ushering him into a neat room where there were several tables, he placed self could have any breakfast? the landlord wasted one of them before an arm-chair, and beckoning Lord Glenvarloch to take possession, he set before him, in a very few minutes, a substantial repast of roast-beef, together with a foaming tankard, to which refreshment the keen air of the river disposed him, notwithstanding his mental embarrassments, to do much honour.

commons,, but raising his head at the same time whenever he heard the door of the apartment open, While Nigel was thus engaged in discussing his eagerly desiring the arrival of Sir Mungo Malagrowther, (an event which had seldom been expected by any one with so much anxious interest,) a personage

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