"But I must inform you particularly," said Simon; "for without this attention to the story it may not chance to illumine you as it should upon the actual state of the family. Therefore, as you all know, I accompanied Sir Andrew to London in quality of—.”

"Yes, yes, we know that, Simon,please to skip it," said Ballard, wishing to come to the more interesting part of the barber's news.

"I will, to please you," said Simon: "then, on my arrival in London, I was nicely accommodated with a seat at the housekeeper's table with the butler; and in a little time I scraped an acquaintance with Squire Charles's valet-as complete a gentleman, in his way, as any I know, only that he is apt to use too many slang phrases-but that is nothing, as he only imitates the example of his superiors. Jenkins-that's his name-used to drop in generally every evening, and take a

hand at whist with us; but he never played for less than sixpenny points."

"Pshaw! who the murrain cares for Jenkins?" said Ballard, fretting with impatience: "can't thee come to the point?" "How very hasty you seem," said Simon.

"Silence between friends upon angry words," said Digaway, interposing."Come, master Simon, shew us the way home through your winding story."

"Jenkins," said Simon, dropt in, as he calls it, one evening, at our house in Gloucester Place, and pulling his hat off with a very significant look, said to me and the housekeeper, What d'ye think?'-Think!' said I, 'Why nothing to be sure.' 'Well then,' said he,

as sure as you stand there, my master (meaning Squire Charles) has nearly got himself into a duel.-Ay! upon my honour it is a fact! Upon which I stared, and the housekeeper, a good

natured soul, set up a scream through her excessive alarm. Jenkins then informed us that the Squire had called out my Lord Eglinton, who was to be Miss Julia's husband, in consequence of his refusal to marry her according to promise; and that the meeting was prevented by Colonel Archer, whom you remember."

"Indeed we do," said Ballard: "a noble gentleman is he."

"Miss Julia has not been well ever since," said Simon. "I saw her the next day by accident, as I went into the drawing-room to speak to Sir Andrew; and there was she crying and moping with the heaviness of her grief."

"Dang me!" exclaimed Ballard, “if that Lord came near me I would soon let him know my mind upon his conduct. But tell me, Simon, how has the business ended?"

"I cannot inform you precisely," said Simon. "Sir Andrew in consequence

of it is coming down here to-morrow, and only sent me forward to have things put in their proper trim."

Simon had, in fact, shortened his story on observing the decreasing state of the cider; and as he knew that no more was forthcoming gratuitously, he thought it best to end his account, knowing that he should be gratified with liquor in other quarters for the sake of his news.

"You have brought unpleasant news with you, master Simon," said Digaway. "Sir Andrew was wise to turn his back upon Lunnun and its cares, and this affair looks very serious."

"At least his presence here will do good for us all," said Ounce. "I hope to make up my loss of trade: times have been hard, my friends, and goods remain a long time on hand; and I don't know but I will send my commissions in future to old Broadbrim on Ludgate Hill, who offers me fifteen months' credit, and that's not to be despised."

What else was said, previous to the separation of our four old acquaintances, referred deeply to the profits and advantages derived from Sir Andrew's expected presence. The only exception to this was the honest farmer, and to him the Baronet's return was really a matter of disinterested feeling. It is perfectly true that he was independent in his circumstances, and this made him careless in a great measure whether his farm could support him or not; as his industry, during a long run of years, had enabled him to save an ample sum, which was safely stocked in the funds. Consequently he felt no other desire but the pleasure itself of bidding a welcome to his landlord,