“How came you to get his grace away from the Dun Cow—­chance?”

“No, your honor,” said the host, pointing to his sign, and bowing reverently to his old master, “the Moseley Arms did it.  Mr. Daniels used to taunt me with having worn a livery, and has said more than once he could milk his cow, but that your honor’s arms would never lift me into a comfortable seat for life; so I just sent him a message by the way of letting him know my good fortune, your honor.”

“And what was it?”

“Only that your honor’s arms had shoved a duke and a baron into my house—­that’s all.”

“And I suppose Daniels’ legs shoved your messenger out of his,” said John, laughing.

“No, Mr. Moseley; Daniels would hardly dare do that but yesterday, your honor, yesterday evening, beat everything.  Daniels was seated before his door, and I was taking a pipe at mine, Sir Edward, as a coach and six, with servants upon servants, drove down the street; it got near us, and the boys were reining the horses into the yard of the Dun Cow, as the gentleman in the coach saw my sign:  he sent a groom to inquire who kept the house; I got up, your honor, and told him my name, sir.  ‘Mr. Jackson,’ said his lordship, ’my respect for the family of Sir Edward Moseley is too great not to give my custom to an old servant of his family.’”

“Indeed,” said the baronet; “pray who was my lord?”

“The Earl of Pendennyss, your honor.  Oh, he is a sweet gentleman, and he asked all about my living with your honor, and about Madam Wilson.”

“Did his lordship stay the night?” inquired Mrs. Wilson, excessively gratified at a discovery of the disposition manifested by the earl towards her.

“Yes, madam, he left here after breakfast.”

“What message did you send the Dun Cow this time, Jackson?” cried John.

Jackson looked a little foolish, but the question being repeated, he answered—­“Why, sir, I was a little crowded for room, and so your honor, so I just sent Tom across the street, to know if Mr. Daniels couldn’t keep a couple of the grooms.”

“And Tom got his head broke.”

“No, Mr. John, the tankard missed him; but if—­”

“Very well,” said the baronet, willing to change the conversation, “you have been so fortunate of late, you can afford to be generous; and I advise you to cultivate harmony with your neighbor, or I may take my arms down, and you may lose your noble visiters—­see my room prepared.”

“Yes, your honor,” said the host, and bowing respectfully he withdrew.

“At least, aunt,” cried John, pleasantly, “we have the pleasure of supping in the same room with the puissant earl, albeit there be twenty-four hours’ difference in the time.”

“I sincerely wish there had not been that difference,” observed his father, taking his sister kindly by the hand.

“Such an equipage must have been a harvest indeed to Jackson,” remarked the mother; as they broke up for the evening.