with the excellence of the meal and the gaiety of his entertainer,

Somerset was soon completely at his ease. When they had well eaten

and drunk, the old lady leaned back in her chair, and taking a cat

upon her lap, subjected her guest to a prolonged but evidently

mirthful scrutiny.

'I fear, madam,' said Somerset, 'that my manners have not risen to

the height of your preconceived opinion.'

'My dear young man,' she replied, 'you were never more mistaken in

your life. I find you charming, and you may very well have lighted

on a fairy godmother. I am not one of those who are given to

change their opinions, and short of substantial demerit, those who

have once gained my favour continue to enjoy it; but I have a

singular swiftness of decision, read my fellow men and women with a

glance, and have acted throughout life on first impressions.

Yours, as I tell you, has been favourable; and if, as I suppose,

you are a young fellow of somewhat idle habits, I think it not

improbable that we may strike a bargain.'

'Ah, madam,' returned Somerset, 'you have divined my situation. I

am a man of birth, parts, and breeding; excellent company, or at

least so I find myself; but by a peculiar iniquity of fate,

destitute alike of trade or money. I was, indeed, this evening

upon the quest of an adventure, resolved to close with any offer of

interest, emolument, or pleasure; and your summons, which I profess

I am still at some loss to understand, jumped naturally with the

inclination of my mind. Call it, if you will, impudence; I am

here, at least, prepared for any proposition you can find it in

<<BackPagesTo menuNext>>